Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Sean not Messi-ing about in art works
His talent boosts Celtic fan Jay
A Coatbridge artist has been using his talent to donate paintings to one of Celtic’s most famous fans.
Dad-of-two Sean Mooney has just completed his fourth painting for little Jay Beatty, a 13-year-old from Northern Ireland who has Down’s Syndrome.
The talented painter’s most recent commission is of the moment the superfan met Barcelona’s Lionel Messi before a friendly match last summer.
Jay’s family subsequently pass on Sean’s work for charity purposes, but are keen to keep this one which marks the moment the youngster met one of the greatest players of all time.
Sean admits he loves painting for Jay’s family, but was quick to brush-off his contribution to charity.
The 47-year-old from Kirkshaws said: “I’m just the painter, it’s Jay’s family who are able to raise lots of money through their connections.
“But it’s nice to know your work is helping to make a difference; I’ve done four now and love it.
“The first one I did was of Jay celebrating his goal of the month against Hamilton and I’ve also done one of his reaction when Tom Rogic scored a late winner against Kilmarnock last season.
“One I’m really proud of is painting the moment he met Fernando Ricksen.
“That one was sold and raised money for MotorNeurone Disease Scotland.”
Sean explained how his connection with Jay’s family came about, adding: “I’m a Celtic fan and met Jay’s dad, Martin, in a lounge at Celtic Park.
“I was showing somebody a photo of one of my paintings and he saw it so asked if I would do one of Jay for him.
“He’s always very impressed and gets overwhelmed at times when he receives them.
“If I had more time I’d paint a lot more for him but I look after my kids full-time and paint when I can.”
Martin spoke to the Advertiser to publicly thank Sean for his efforts which have raised hundreds of pounds for MNDS and The Celtic Foundation. He said: “The quality of his work is unbelievable. “Pictures of them don’t do it justice, you really need to see them in person to appreciate it.
“He’s such a gentleman and the work he does is fantastic.
“The painting of Jay with Messi is perfect and we all appreciate what he does.”
Sean also revealed to the Advertiser how he became involved in painting.
He said: “I got involved in a council-run scheme when I left school and painted murals on hospitals and other buildings.
“I studied print and design at college and worked in marketing, but then the kids came along and I look after them full-time; my son Joshua is eight and was born deaf.
“I don’t really paint to make money, it’s just my escape from everyday life.
“I only really sell if I need to make money for more canvases or paint.
“They are mainly for family and friends - there’s nothing better than giving someone a painting and knowing they love it.
“I love visiting my mums or my sisters as they all have paintings of mine and it always makes me smile. My next one will be of Bruce Springsteen.
“I enjoy painting things I’m interested in for example, Noel Gallagher, Muhammad Ali and my kids.”
● Turn the page for more about Jay Beatty.