A SUFFOLK artist is gaining a reputation among celebrity collectors after one of his pieces sparked a bidding war between two high-profile admirers.

Dom Pattinson, a former teacher at Great Cornard Upper School and Farlingaye High School, in Woodbridge, has already sold work to the likes of Liam Gallagher, retail giant Tesco and a Broadway producer.

Now the Woodbridge artist can count Davina McCall among his famous fans, after the television presenter outbid comedian and Hollywood star Russell Brand to take home one of his sought-after paintings at a fundraising dinner for Suffolk charity Focus12.

The pair, who are both patrons of the organisation, which specialises in treatment for alcohol and substance misuse, went head-to-head at the Art For Addicts Sake auction, held in London’s West End, for one of Mr Pattinson’s Urban Art pieces.

Usually selling exclusively through Turner Barnes Gallery in Chelmsford, Mr Pattinson submitted one of his pieces to a list of artistic lots auctioned off at the end of the evening.

Mr Pattinson honed his craft by first gaining a degree at the Winchester School of Art and a masters at the Glasgow School of Art.

An early stint in boat building saw him showcase his craftsman skills on the set of Casino Royale.

Within 18 months of giving up a career in teaching to become an artist full time, Mr Pattinson enjoyed sell-out shows in London and New York.

Some of Mr Pattinson’s work will at the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea, from October 25 to 29, and then in New York next spring.