By Terry Phillips
Cardiff City’s very own SuperKev, veteran of almost 300 appearances for the Bluebirds, is finding new success outside football – as an artist!
Scottish international defender Kevin McNaughton is working with Royal artist Darren Baker, one of the Uk’s most collectable artists having painted The Queen, Prince Charles, Pope John Paul II and more.
His latest work is from a memorable photograph of McNaughton celebrating Cardiff’s promotion to the Premier League.
Baker says he is ‘blown away’ by McNaughton’s ability: “Kevin could make a living as an artist. The craftsmanship of his portraits is there to see.
“He could make a good career out of it. His work is excellent, he has a lot of talent.”
McNaughton spent nine seasons with Cardiff City and was back in South Wales to officially announce his Bluebirds’ testimonial at the club’s stadium on Sunday, March 26 next year.
The match will feature McNaughton’s XI and the Rest of the World and the players who have already committed to playing are Robbie Fowler, Stephen McPhail, Darren Purse, Jay Bothroyd, Paul Parry and Steve Thompson.
Monies raise will be shared between the testimonial fund and Welsh children’s hospice Ty Hafan.
McNaughton, aged 34 and now playing for Inverness, talked about his work as an artist during his press conference, saying: “I got into painting at school, but then left it for eight or nine years.
“Then a few years ago I started picking it up again, sketching and it has grown from there. I did a little work when I was playing for Cardiff and have worked on portraits of some team-mates, including Craig Conway and Steve Thompson.
“I did a little took a wee bit of stick when other players heard about it, but not too bad.
“When I moved up to Bolton Wanderers and was stuck in my hotel a lot I got into it a lot more and had some positive feedback.
“I have no idea whether it could become a career after football, but I will certainly stay involved in art.
“My love for playing football means I will play on as long as possible and I have started taking my coaching badges.”
McNaughton is currently recovering from an ankle injury and was at Cardiff City Stadium for the Bluebirds’ home match against Wigan Athletic.
“Cardiff should have won that one,” he says. “It was Neil Warnock’s first game as manager and results have gone pretty well since then.
“I know the players are impressed about how he set about the job, while Cardiff fans want to see boys giving everything for the team and that’s what they will get with him in charge. Warnock is the right fit for Cardiff at the right time.”
