Terry Kneeshaw - Football Artist

Terry Kneeshaw is an Award Winning UK artist, best known for his football art, sports and pop culture pieces, which he creates for, and in collaboration with, fan groups.

Terry began drawing and painting at the age of 13 and began selling professionally whilst still at school in Darlington. At 16 he found a mentor in the Artist Peter Hick who tutored Terry in the art of seeing. Peter said to Terry: “I can’t teach you to draw - you already can - but I can teach you to see.”

At 17, he was apprenticed to The Northern Echo as an Artist under the guidance of Tony Marshall. The following years saw Terry travel extensively, carving a living as a street artist in cities across Europe; drawing in chalks, pastels and charcoal.

A career within the media industry followed, giving Terry vast experience in film, photography, print and computer graphics, which is evident in his work via lighting and the balance of composition, and reflected in the overall harmony of his visual layouts.

 

 

Sport has always been close to Terry’s heart. His youngest son, Wilson, enjoyed a ten year career as a professional footballer, playing for clubs such as Middlesbrough FC, and his eldest son Jackson was named a 5 times All-American sportsman after his time competing on the collegiate golf circuit in the USA. Terry himself spent his weekends volunteering as a Football Coach for junior teams when his boys were younger.

When Terry’s local club Darlington FC were struggling financially, Terry produced a commemorative painting of their football shirts throughout the years to raise vital funds for the club. He produced a similar piece to help raise funds for Bury FC after they were expelled from the football league due to unpaid debts. 

After being inundated with requests from fans of other clubs, Terry has since completed pieces for most of the Premier League, detailing the history of their shirts, and raising money for charities such as Kick It Out, the NHS, the Football Foundation, the Royal British Legion, and Neuroblastoma UK

In 2021 Terry was commissioned by Manchester City to create a piece celebrating Kun Agüero’s ten years at the club, with proceeds from the limited edition prints going to club charity 'Cityzens,' and by Williams F1 to create an original piece for driver George Russell. The original canvas was presented to George as a leaving gift, to commemorate his years with the team.

Terry was also commissioned by Arsenal Legend Bob Wilson's Willow Foundation to create an original painting to be auctioned at the London Football Awards.

The event took place on Thursday 3rd March 2022 and Terry's painting raised a huge £16,000 in funds for the charity at the star-studded event.

 Terry currently works and resides at Coatham Hall, County Durham, England.