THE ART OF FOOTBALL

KENT-BASED CRYSTAL PALACE FAN STUART RYAN TELLS US ABOUT HIS UNEXPECTED CAREER CHANGE...

- STUART RYAN

HAVING worked in sales for more than 20 years, I wasn't anticipating a massive change in my life. Although I'd gained a degree in Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University in the late 90s, which culminated in a show of my paintings at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park, I hadn't picked up a brush and pallet since 2000 due to being busy with work and family commitments.

Then Covid came along and changed everything. A prolonged furlough period, and subsequent redundancy, gave me the incentive and opportunity to start painting again and I haven't looked back.

I have now sold paintings directly to ten professional footballers, past and present, and their families as well as producing and selling numerous private commissions to fans who wanted a bespoke painting of their favourite player or moment captured on canvas.

These include past Palace players and favourites Mile Jedinak, James McArthur and Andrew Johnson as well as current right-back and long-standing fans' favourite Joel Ward.