A Co Derry artist has been left overwhelmed by the response to a brilliant Lionel Messi painting that took him almost three weeks to complete.
Ruairi Mooney captured Argentina captain Messi kissing the World Cup trophy after beating France in last year's thrilling final in Qatar.
The 27-year-old, who hails from Portstewart, has described the piece as his "most detailed to date".
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Irish League footballers Matthew Fitzpatrick and Jamie Glackin were quick to heap praise on Ruairi after he shared the painting on social media, while Tobermore GAC described it as "unreal".
Ruairi told Belfast Live: "I am a big Messi fan. I think the only bigger fan than me is my younger brother who is Messi mad.
"We were over the moon when he won the World Cup. We were completely enthralled by the final, it was insane.
"It is one of the best sporting moments to have happened in my life, that whole World Cup tournament. Especially the final.
"And it made sense for me to do that painting.
"This piece probably took about two-and-a-half weeks. Sometimes I had to leave it and come back later. Sometimes pieces can be challenging and it can play tricks on you. So walking away and leaving it for a while, and coming back with fresh eyes makes a difference.
"Especially when you're trying to capture the likeness of someone, especially Lionel Messi who everyone knows. So you have to get the facial features spot on which is a challenge.
"It took a lot of sittings and different sessions, just working on it for a couple of hours at a time. I am really pleased with it.
"It is probably the most detailed painting I have ever done. The moment itself is iconic.
"Everyone from my generation will remember it for the rest of their lives. And this piece ties in with my memories of the World Cup."
Ruairi, a keen sports fan who enjoys playing gaelic football and hurling, says it "seemed natural" to combine that love with the other passion in his life - painting.
"I really enjoy tying in sport with art. I enjoy playing team sports and I am mad about sports," he added.
"When I am not playing I am watching it on TV, so it seemed natural to tie in sport with art. I also try and tie in music with art, and I have had pieces on Phil Lynott, Luke Kelly and Bruce Springsteen. Some of those pieces have been popular.
"A lot of the portrait work, whether it is athletes or musicians, I am a fan so there is part of me that wants to capture them.
"How would I describe myself as an artist? It is a difficult question to ask any artist.
"I don't have it down to a tee yet. My style is always evolving and I enjoy colour, and the relationship between certain colours and how they can capture a moment.
"Such as a sunset. The sky can range from bright pink to deep blues and purples and orange. I really hone in on that and try and portray the moment.
"For me it is about being in a moment, whether it be a summer evening or winter morning. It can transport you back to that time."
The 27-year-old attended Loreto College in Coleraine before attending St Mary's University College, Belfast, where he studied Art Teaching.
It was during lockdown that Ruairi rediscovered his love for painting, dedicating much of his spare time to something he is now proud to call his full-time job.
"I had been teaching in primary schools. It was good to work with young kids and I had a lot of fun with it," he said.
"Lockdown then came and that gave everyone a lot more time to focus on their hobbies. I play a lot of Gaelic football and hurling, and lockdown ended that for a long time.
"I couldn't even train or play games so I spent a lot of time exercising, and also got into doing artwork just for the sake of enjoying it, rather than doing it for coursework of academic studies.
"I probably fell back in love with it, and decided to do what some people might think is a brave thing, and that was sharing it online on social media.
"And from a lot of friends and family showing interest in it, things sort of took off.
"I did a lot of sports art, covering different athletes like Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi and Tiger Woods. Athletes who I followed and admired.
"I then started to do commission pieces for friends, mostly Gaelic pieces. And after a while of painting portrait work and sports pieces, I moved onto landscapes.
"I think that was only natural, coming from Portstewart where there are breathtaking views everywhere. And that helped me find my own style.
"Pieces like Portstewart Strand and Dunluce Castle, some of the places I have enjoyed painting."
Ruairi held his first-ever exhibition last year, as well as launching his own website where he sells his artwork.
He added: "I just want to continue pushing my work and try and develop my style and enjoy what I am doing.
"I love what I am doing and feel privileged to call it my full-time job."
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