Beaconsfield artist who won BBC painting show enters charity art competition, Flower Power Challenge, in aid of Greenfingers

Paul Bell, winner of the BBC’s Big Painting Challenge whose works have also been exhibited at the Tate Britain, has entered the Flower Power Art Challenge to raise money for Beaconsfield-based charity Greenfingers.

The charity is dedicated to supporting children who use hospices and their families, by creating inspiring gardens for them to relax in and enjoy and has created almost 50 gardens across the UK so far.

Funds raised from the Flower Power Art Challenge will go towards the ‘A Million Moments’ appeal which aims to raise £1 million to enable another 5,000 children to benefit from gardens and outdoor spaces at hospices around the country.

The challenge is open to both professional and amateur artists and Mr Bell has entered an oil on canvas piece called ‘Winter Sky’ in to the professional category of the competition.

Paul Bell's 'Winter Sky' piece that he has submitted for the Flower Power Art Challenge.

He will also judge the amateur category and said he was ‘delighted’ to be a part of the process.

He said: “I was thrilled to be asked to judge the amateur section of the competition so it felt natural to enter a piece myself.  I hope I can inspire other locals – professionals and amateurs alike – to enter, with all funds raised going to such a wonderful local charity.”

To enter, artists need to pay a fee of £5 per submission which goes directly to the charity, and complete an online form with a photo of the artwork at www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

Entrants have until March 31 to submit their online entry, before the public will be asked to vote for their favourite flower power artworks within the two categories.

As well as a cash prize of £1,000, the winning amateur artist will also be given the chance to appear as a guest artist on www.upandcomingart.co.uk for a year following an exhibition to showcase the shortlisted entries in London this summer.