WHEN Shane Monahan isn’t playing rugby for Aviva Premiership side Gloucester, the Dubliner is pursuing his passion to paint.
The 28-year-old may be competing in the top flight of English rugby, but he doesn’t let the demands of training prevent him from sharing his artistic vision.
Shane – who has represented Ireland at U20 level – has exhibited many of his paintings of fellow Gloucester teammates, which often fetch around £1,500-1,600.
The winger told The Irish Post that he’s delighted that he’s able to earn a living from his two hobbies.
“It’ going really well, sales of the paintings are really taking off,” he said. “I’m really building my profile now.
“I usually paint in the evenings after training when I’m not under pressure to produce paintings for exhibitions.
“Deadlines are a bit of a pain but I got injured at the end of the last season and that’s given me more time to focus on my art work.”
So far, Shane’s portfolio of work includes acrylic and ink paintings featuring the likes of ex-England star Mike Tindell and Gloucester’s Ben Morgan and Matt Kevsic.
He hasn’t yet painted the likes of Ireland’s rugby veterans Paul O’Connell or Brian O’Driscoll, but he insists that he has plans to complete a portrait of Leinster’s Seán O’Brian in the near future.
In addition to having his work exhibited at charity events, Shane's work was recently up for sale at the Rugby Players’ Association's annual fundraising dinner - which was held in Battersea earlier this month.
