AN ARTIST who specialises in raunchy latex creations has been inundated with tens of thousands of pounds worth of commissions from Fifty Shades of Grey fans.

Michelle Mildenhall’s website crashed this week with couples trying to contact her to create sadomasochism portraits of themselves and their partners.

The Brighton artist told The Argus the film, set for release today had “awoken peoples’ senses” and introduced previously taboo bedroom activities to the masses.

She said:"I can't get over the Fifty Shades effect. It has clearly introduced S&M to the mainstream and the global requests for erotic, latex commissions are increasing by the hour ahead of the movie's release.”

The former Somerset College of Arts and Technology student, who is described as a “regular” on the fetish scene, decided to combine her love of latex and art a few years ago.

She said: “One afternoon I had an epiphany while I was working on a latex outfit for myself.

“Shivers came over my body and I thought, why not combine latex and art to create something truly unique in both the art and fetish world? It’s such a beautiful material.”

Working from her home in Brighton, her pieces explore sexual taboos and themes of both empowerment and vulnerability.

Among her work is a pop art portrait of Margaret Thatcher with her trademark pearls replaced with a slave’s studded collar. She also takes commissions from across the country.

She added: “I get all sorts, some people want images of their partners, some want them of themselves. The commissions are not always what you think they would be. Last year I had one for a gentlemen wearing a suit with sunglasses, so I get all sorts.”

The boom in her business appears to have followed the popularity of the Fifty Shades of Grey erotic novel, released in 2011.

The novel tells the story of a college graduate and a young businessman called Christian Grey.

Notable for its explicit sexual scenes and themes of bondage and sadomasochism, it hits cinema screens today.

For more information about Mrs Mildenhall’s work, visit michellemildenhall.co.uk.