Darren: On this week’s Engaging Marketeer, I’m joined by a man who took the leap from Scottish footballer to internationally recognised visual artist. Craig Black is someone whose story hits you right in the feels—he’s turned rejection into fuel and passion into a business. He’s worked with household names like Porsche, UEFA, the Champions League, and even his boyhood club Rangers. But his journey didn’t follow a neat, pre-planned path. It was messy, emotional, and driven by a relentless work ethic.
Craig, welcome to the show. Growing up in Scotland, was football always the end goal?
Craig: It really was. Football is like a religion where I’m from. Every lad wanted to play professionally—it wasn’t just a dream, it was the only dream. I’d be out playing in the streets, pretending I was Ronaldo—the proper Ronaldo, the Brazilian one. Not the fake one! That was the mindset. That was the life.
Darren: And you made it. You signed a professional contract young.
Craig: Yeah, I was only 15 or 16 when I signed for Greenock Morton, my local club. It was everything to me at the time. I was still in school when it happened, so the club wanted me to leave and go full-time, but something held me back. I had this other passion bubbling away—art. It wasn’t loud or obvious, but it was there.
Darren: That’s not something you hear every day. A teenage footballer wanting to keep studying art?
Craig: Exactly, and that’s where my art teacher, Mr. Murray, came in. He saw what I couldn’t. He noticed how much I enjoyed drawing, designing, sketching football boots, kits, logos—all of it. While everyone saw Craig the footballer, he saw Craig the creative. He fought for me to keep studying art alongside my training. We had this strange setup—train in the morning, art in the afternoon.
Darren: It’s rare to hear of that kind of support.
Craig: Totally. He gave me a space to express myself. He didn’t say “you’re going to be an artist,” but he allowed me to explore creativity with no pressure. That made all the difference. I owe him a lot. Still call him Mr. Murray to this day, even though I probably should be calling him Paul by now.
Darren: So football was still happening in the background?
Craig: Yeah, I played for Morton for about five years. But it was frustrating. No matter how well I played, I just wasn’t getting picked. I’d have a great game and then the next week I’d be left out completely—not even on the bench. And this went on season after season. Clubs wanted me, but Morton wouldn’t let me go. I was stuck in limbo.
Darren: That must have done your head in.
Craig: It did. I hated it by the end. I was putting everything into it, but the system was stacked against me. Eventually, I had to walk away. I was only 21, but I felt like I’d been through a lifetime of frustration. The club was shocked. They couldn’t believe I was quitting. But mentally, I was done.
Darren: And then fate played its hand?
Craig: Aye. I went to the pub—classic. And who’s sitting there? Mr. Murray. First time I’d seen him in years. I offloaded everything, and he just looked at me and said, “Craig, you were sh*t at football anyway—why don’t you study graphic design?” He explained what it was and said he could get me an interview at a college in Glasgow through one of his mates.
I panicked. I hadn’t done any art in five years. No portfolio. Nothing. He just smiled and said, “Come to my house tomorrow.”
Darren:
And that’s when the story really takes a turn
Craig: Yeah, I turned up the next day, hungover to bits, and he handed me a folder—my old portfolio. He’d kept it all that time. Told me he always thought I’d need it one day. I genuinely burst into tears. Proper ugly crying in his living room.
That portfolio got me into college. The lecturer looked at two pieces and said, “You’re in.” Just like that. I fell in love with design instantly. It felt like going back to that young kid in his bedroom drawing football kits and badges.
Darren: So typography became your thing?
Craig: Big time. I always had a fascination with lettering—how names looked on football shirts. I just didn’t know it had a name. The first time I heard the word “typography” I was like, “That’s it. That’s what I want to do.” And I made it my mission to one day create the typeface for Rangers. That was my north star.
Darren: And you actually did it?
Craig: I did. Years later, after working for agencies in London, honing my craft, starting my own studio—I finally got the chance. It was a dream project. I couldn’t tell anyone for ages, but when it launched, it meant everything. My brother’s a season ticket holder, and now he walks around Ibrox pointing out my work to random fans. It’s magic.
Darren: So where do you go from there?
Craig: That’s when I transitioned into visual art. I wanted more freedom, more expression. That’s where acrylic fusion came in. It started by accident—my wife came home wearing gym leggings with a mad pattern on them. I zoned out and thought, “How did they make that?” Next thing I’m on YouTube, watching paint-pouring videos. Bought a load of supplies, gave it a go, and that was it.
Darren: And it’s not just painting—there’s a performance element now, isn’t there?
Craig: Yeah, I sort of fell into performance art. Started small—just painting in front of my wife and mum. Then it grew. Now I do live shows at huge events—FIFA World Cup, Champions League Finals, gallery openings. But here’s the thing: I approach it like a footballer. I rehearse. I practice. I treat it like training.
Darren: You mentioned earlier that you’re not a believer in luck?
Craig: I’m really not. People see what I do and go, “You’re lucky.” No. What they don’t see are the hours I’ve put in. When I worked at the agency, I’d come home and do an hour every night, minimum. Five hours at weekends. I practiced typography relentlessly. Same with painting—I worked in the background for two years before I showed a single piece.
Darren:
You’re living proof that consistency beats talent alone.
Craig: 100%. You can have natural ability, but without that work ethic, it doesn’t go anywhere. My whole mindset is based on this idea of compound effort—1% better every day. That’s it.
Darren: And your wife’s a big part of the business now?
Craig: She is. She’s the Managing Director. Total boss. She came from working in mental health at a local prison—completely different world—but she’s sharp. She learned fast, built the business side up, and now we travel together. We take our daughter with us when we work abroad. That’s what it’s all about for me—designing a lifestyle that works for our family.
Darren: That’s the dream, isn’t it?
Craig: It really is. I get to take my daughter to nursery, pick her up, be present. We’re building something together. And she’s already saying she wants to be an artist like Daddy—which melts my heart.
Darren: Before we wrap up, what’s the next big dream project?
Craig: Two things. I want to paint the tail of an airplane—full-on acrylic fusion. And I want to do a live show inside the Las Vegas Sphere. Imagine painting on stage and the roof of the Sphere reacts in real time with animated versions of the brush strokes. That’s the big one.
Darren: Mate, if anyone can make that happen, it’s you. And if there’s someone out there listening—airline CEO or U2’s tour manager—how can they reach you?
Craig: Best way is by email: hello@craig.black. Website is craig.black, Instagram is @_craigblack, and you’ll find me on LinkedIn too.
Darren: Craig, this has been absolutely brilliant. Thanks for sharing your journey—it’s genuinely inspiring. Can’t wait to see where you take it next.
Craig: Thanks so much, Darren. Been a pleasure.
About Craig Black:
Craig Black is a Scottish visual artist and designer known for his bold acrylic fusion technique and dynamic live art performances. A former professional footballer turned creative powerhouse, Craig has worked with global brands including Rangers FC, Porsche, and the Premier League, bringing his distinctive mix of typography, colour, and energy to physical products, public installations, and brand activations around the world. Based in Greenock, Scotland, Craig runs an independent art studio alongside his wife and is passionate about creativity, storytelling, and inspiring the next generation of artists.
Connect with Craig here:
Website: https://craig.black/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-black-28a89968/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_CraigBlack/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_craigblack
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@studiocraigblack
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/craigblack
About your host:
Darren has worked within digital marketing since the last century, and was the first in-house web designer for video games retailer GAME in the UK, known as Electronics Boutique in the States. After co-founding his own agency, Engage Web, in 2009, Darren has worked with clients around the world, including Australia, Canada and the USA.
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/engaging-marketeer/id1612454837
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjamieson/
Engaging Marketeer: https://engagingmarketeer.com
Engage Web: https://www.engageweb.co.uk
