BBC1 Big Painting Challenge contestant, Anthea Lay from Callington, was reunited with her fellow artists from the show for a special exhibition at Lauderdale House in London, where paintings created on the programme are on display alongside a series of new art works.

The exhibition, called the 'Bigger Picture', runs until April 26 and is being supported by the SAA (Society For All Artists). The SAA is the UK's largest membership organisation for amateur and professional artists.

Over the six-week duration of the show, contestants on the Big Painting Challenge tackled various painting tasks under the critical eye of artist judges, Lachlan Goudie and Daphne Todd. They were given a range of painting tasks to test their skills, including landscapes, still life and architecture.

Anthea is now retired after a varied life as a Wren, a teacher, bail-officer and full-time mother.

She said: 'The Big Painting Challenge was a wonderful and at times stressful experience for us all but despite the exam-like conditions, we did produce work that we're very proud of and wanted to share with the public.

'We have all had very positive comments about the work we produced for the tasks, so wanted to give the public an opportunity to get up close to it and also see the type of work we produce when not under pressure with a selection of new paintings and drawings.'

'We're all really excited to see our work together on display and it's great that the SAA are supporting us as we hope to help them in their mission of inspiring and encouraging others to either enjoy art and visiting galleries and exhibitions or to pick up a paintbrush themselves.'

The SAA provides a range of inspiration, support and tuition to members and is keen to encourage people inspired by the Big Painting Challenge to take up art as a hobby.

Richard Hope-Hawkins, managing director of the SAA, said: 'The Big Painting Challenge has brought art to the masses again on prime time TV and given people a real insight into painting. This exhibition is a wonderful way for the public to see some of the work the artists produced on the show and also introduce them to some of their other work.

'We want people to see art as accessible and not to be afraid to enjoy it and have a go themselves.'