ROCK and roll royalty, authors and artists all congregated at an art gallery in Burford to see the opening night of Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's first solo painting exhibition. 

The interior designer - who lives in Siddington with his wife Jackie and is best known for appearing on BBC programme Changing Rooms - has recently turned his back on presenting to pursue more creative aspirations.

In 1986 the television star left Camberwell School of Art in London with a degree in fine art painting and now as he prepares to enter his 60s he has decided to pick up his paint brushes once again and embark on a career as an artist. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen with his grandson Albion Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen with his grandson Albion (Image: Lisa June Rose Photography)

The launch of his first solo painting exhibition called Garden of Baroque Delights was held at Cotswold Contemporary Gallery in Burford on Saturday, September 16. 

Laurence donned a bespoke suit by Will Valor in a Cavalli Home furnishing fabric for the special occasion.

The rest of the Llewelyn-Bowen clan were equally as glamorous, with grandson Albion dressed in snazzy gold leather trousers and eldest granddaughter Demelza dressed pretty in pink.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Laurence and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen 's youngest daughter Hermione (who’s pregnant with second daughter), granddaughter Demelza and grandson Albion with son in law Dan Rajan who is commercial director of Llewelyn-Bowen DesignLaurence and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen 's youngest daughter Hermione (who’s pregnant with second daughter), granddaughter Demelza and grandson Albion with son in law Dan Rajan who is commercial director of Llewelyn-Bowen Design (Image: Thomas Mills)

The star-studded party included the likes of author Jilly Cooper, eco entrepreneur Dr David Williams and artist Dr PJ Crook.

Status Quo drummer John Coghlan also turned up to support Laurence's new endeavours with his wife Gillie as well as punk princess Toyah Willcox and her husband, King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Rock royalty turned up in force Gillie and John Coghlan status Quo drummer with Punk Princess Toyah Wilcox and King Crimson front man Robert FripRock royalty turned up in force Gillie and John Coghlan status Quo drummer with Punk Princess Toyah Wilcox and King Crimson front man Robert Frip (Image: Lisa June Rose Photography)

A spokesperson for Cotswold Contemporary Gallery said: "Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's dreamy Romantic paintings were loved by all and his extraordinarily virtuosic classical technique blew away fellow painters like punk princess Toyah Willcox who said she found herself getting lost in his landscapes."

The exhibition will be displayed Cotswold Contemporary Gallery in Burford from Saturday, September 16 until Saturday, September 30 and then will go onto the Cotswold Contemporary Gallery in Cirencester.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Exhibition at Cotswold Contemporary Gallery in Burford Exhibition at Cotswold Contemporary Gallery in Burford (Image: Lisa June Rose Photography)