Racing,
immortalised
in paint.
Hand-painted tributes to road racing’s greats and the landscapes of Northern Ireland — by Shorty Baird, a self-taught artist from the heart of racing country.
“It all begins with an idea.”
The artistIt started with a pint and a pencil.
Shorty never set foot in an art college. His path started the way the best local stories do — a few sketches, some friends at the bar, and a request to paint a rider everyone knew.
One commission became another, and before long the walls of Northern Ireland’s racing community were carrying his work. Today he paints in acrylic, oil, graphite and coloured pencil — always chasing the same thing: the feeling of a moment, made permanent.
Two worlds, one hand.
From the roar of the Mountain Course to the silence of the north coast at dusk.
Your idea, in four steps.
Most of my work is commissioned — a rider, a machine, a place that means something. Here's how it comes together.
Share the idea
A photo and a few words — the bike, the rider, the moment. Even a blurry old snap is plenty to start.
See the sketch
We agree the composition, format and size. A rough sketch lands in your inbox before any paint goes down.
Watch it appear
Progress shots along the way as the piece is built up in acrylic, oil or pencil — chasing the light until it's right.
On your wall
Signed, sealed and sent — ready to hang where it was always meant to be.