AN ARTIST is offering mums-to-be the chance to turn their baby bumps into artistic masterpieces for Red Nose Day.

Mona Turnbull, right, an artist-turned-facepainter from Wheatley, is raising money for Comic Relief.

She wants pregnant women to come forward and have their stomach painted with any designs they like.

Mrs Turnbull, 35, said: “I am part of a team of about 50 facepainters across the country who have joined together to raise money for Comic Relief.

“Over the next two weeks, our challenge is to paint as many pregnant tummies as possible.”

The group, including Gita Konschak who has previously been featured in the Oxford Mail, has already surpassed its target of £2,500 and is now aiming to raise more than £3,000.

The mothers and painters both get sponsored for the painting sessions, which usually cost about £50.

Mrs Turnbull said: “We all have our own targets. I’m hoping to raise more than £100, but others have raised lots more.”

One of her designs is a picture of an ultra-sound scan, above, which took half an hour.

Mrs Turnbull said: “This is a new idea for the British mums, but pre-natal art is more popular in America. It creates a very memorable experience for mums.”.

The ultra-sound tummy belonged to 34-year-old Steph McGee, from Horspath.

She said: “I would recommend it to anyone, it looked brilliant.

“The baby was moving around a lot while she was painting, but it was really relaxing.”

Mrs McGee said the painting had especially impressed two-year-old son Abraham.

She said: “The day after, he kept lifting up my top, looking at the picture and kissing my belly.

“It was just such a fabulous way to remember this time and we’ll be putting the picture up on the wall.”

To get your tummy painted, contact Mrs Turnbull on 078348 99393 or visit the group’s fundraising page at my.rednoseday.com/BumpArt