Two identical twin sisters from Stowmarket with identical passions for both painting and Britain’s Got Talent have told of their “surreal” experience during the auditions.

The Stowmarket siblings hope to inspire more people to take up art by showing it can be fun and exciting, with their upside down live painting of Simon Cowell showing art’s “silly side”.

Sharon Kulesa and Louise Cobbold, who are both professional artists, never expected to get through to the televised stages.

Using the name Strokes of Madness, the 37-year-old duo featured in the first episode of this year’s BGT but did not make it any further.

Mrs Kulesa, who is a professional Christmas card design painter, revealed the first people to see their act were slightly less intimidating than Mr Cowell and company.

East Anglian Daily Times: ITV Britain's Got Talent audition from Strokes of Madness twins Sharon Kulesa and Louise Cobbold, from Stowmarket. Picture: ITV/BGTITV Britain's Got Talent audition from Strokes of Madness twins Sharon Kulesa and Louise Cobbold, from Stowmarket. Picture: ITV/BGT (Image: Archant)

“We are both members of the Stowmarket Art Club,” she said. “So our first real rehearsal we did in front of them. They really enjoyed it, which is more than we can say for the judges.”

The twins said they were surprised at how “grumpy” Mr Cowell was, adding that the only judge who got their act was Amanda Holden.

“I don’t think Alesha [Dixon] liked the silliness of it all,” added Mrs Kulesa. “She liked the painting but couldn’t understand why we danced around. We thought it was a good way of getting out there that art can be really good fun. We want more people to give it a go.”

The sisters said far too many people enjoy art at school and then never find the time for it after that.

East Anglian Daily Times: Identical twin sisters who painted Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent. Left to right, Louise Cobbold and Sharon Kulesa. Picture: GREGG BROWNIdentical twin sisters who painted Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent. Left to right, Louise Cobbold and Sharon Kulesa. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Mrs Cobbold, who was an art teacher at Stowmarket High School before setting up an art business, said: “It was really surreal, it was like we were not really there. We have both wanted to audition for the show for a while and we thought as we are both artists, it would be a good idea.”

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Mrs Cobbold said she first painted for an audience at The Forge Community Church, Thurston, using the same method of painting upside down.

The sisters also painted a “renaissance-style” picture of the judges, which featured in the show.

East Anglian Daily Times: Identical twin sisters who painted Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent. Left to right, Louise Cobbold and Sharon Kulesa. Picture: GREGG BROWNIdentical twin sisters who painted Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent. Left to right, Louise Cobbold and Sharon Kulesa. Picture: GREGG BROWN

• The sisters’ art will be on display as part of the art club’s annual gallery at the United Reformed Church, Stowmarket, between May 30 to June 3.

East Anglian Daily Times: ITV Britain's Got Talent audition from Strokes of Madness twins Sharon Kulesa and Louise Cobbold, from Stowmarket. Picture: ITV/BGTITV Britain's Got Talent audition from Strokes of Madness twins Sharon Kulesa and Louise Cobbold, from Stowmarket. Picture: ITV/BGT (Image: Archant)