Heather discussing her painting with presenter Richard Bacon

Heather Harding Rises to BBC’s Big Painting Challenge

Heather Harding, a St Leonards artist, is currently appearing in BBC1’s The Big Painting Challenge on Sunday evenings at 6pm. Sophie Bradbury explains.

The show takes ten amateur artists to landmarks around the country and challenges them with different painting and drawing tasks. So far, Heather is doing very well, receiving compliments for her stylish paintings and drawings.

The competitors are judged by two top artists, Daphne Todd OBE and Lachlan Goudie. In the final programme, one of the ten competing artists will be crowned the Best Amateur Artist in the UK. Una Stubbs and Richard Bacon present.

Heather is the least experienced painter on the show. She started painting just three years ago (when her busy job in fashion design allowed her the time). She’s never had any proper technical training, doing evening classes and picking up tips from other painters.

Heather was overjoyed to be selected from over 6000 applicants to take part in the programme, especially as she had just been made redundant when she received the news. She says, “It goes to show that you should always try things, even if you think you’ll fail, because at the end of the day you never know what will happen!”

Heather moved to St Leonards from Hackney in London just over a year and a half ago for a lifestyle change. She says, “I’ve always liked St Leonards for its friendly and very bohemian feel.” She now organises and teaches fashion and textile classes for teenagers and adults in St Leonards, as well as selling vintage clothing at fairs in East Sussex and London. But her real love is painting, and being on The Big Painting Challenge is sure to raise her profile!

Heather has a website for her paintings www.heatherioneharding.com and has started a blog to document her experiences of being on the show.

The Big Painting Challenge is on BBC1, Sunday evenings at 6pm.

Episodes can be watched on BBC iPlayer

Also in: Visual Arts