TV star Nish Kumar buys Stamford artist's portrait after meeting on Sky Arts show Portrait Artist of the Year
A Stamford artist who painted comedian Nish Kumar on a hit television show considered painting over the portrait before it was bought by the TV star.
Michelle Fernandes, known as Meesh, appeared on Sky TV's Portrait Artist of the Year on Wednesday, having entered the show as part of her return to art following the death of her wife in 2018.
Artists are given just four hours to complete their celebrity portrait, while also having to break off for interviews with hosts Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan.
"It was absolutely amazing, such a cool experience" she said.
"I was so nervous watching it back. It was almost as bad as being on the show!
"What I said on the show was a surprise to me. The day was such a whirlwind, it's like an out-of-body experience. "
Meesh was not allowed to reveal which celebrity she painted or how she got on before the programme aired, but was pleased with her subject.
Stand-up comedian Kumar hosts The Mash Report on TV and is a regular face on panel shows.
"I wanted to paint someone who had quite a lot of character and I was pleased that it was Nish Kumar," she explained.
"He is a comedian so has quite a personality - I hope I brought that across in the portrait."
The painting did not earn Meesh a place in the semi-final, but the story did continue after the end credits had rolled.
"Nish was such a lovely guy and got in touch afterwards through his PR to buy the portrait," she said.
"It was such a compliment that he actually liked the painting that much."
Yet the biggest sale of her career, for a few moments at least, almost never happened.
"I got home and was thinking what am I going to do with this now?," she recalled.
"It's quite a big portrait for my flat.
"Unfortunately sometimes I d0 end up painting over a canvas and was erring towards that option.
"I probably wouldn't have anyway because it was a momento of that day, but for him to get in touch was unbelievable."
Meesh, who works as a part-time registrar, has an exhibition of her work in the Blonde Beet cafe in St Paul's Street, including the self-portrait which won her a place on the show.
She is also available for commissions. Visit www.meeshfernandes.com to find out more.