KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Dan Mccoig is an artist who loves painting with one color in particular — orange. The Tennessee native, who now lives in North Carolina, is inspired by the University of Tennessee sports teams.
"If you put orange on, I'm going to root for you," Mccoig said.
The Clinton native has always rooted for Tennessee but was always using his artistic talent to paint other things before deciding to start painting people, places and events related to the Vols.
"I love giving them away," Mccoig said. "I love seeing their faces, and whatever made them smile."
Among his favorite painting subjects are Vols basketball star Dalton Knecht, UT's 2022 win over Alabama at Neyland Stadium, and one of his favorite football players — Joshua Dobbs.
"I just paint what's important to me," Mccoig said. "It represents what I see."
Mccoig, who studied art at the University of Tennessee, is proud to call himself a fan and proud of how the fans continue to root for their team, no matter how they're doing.
"Nobody gives up on sportsmanship," Mccoig said. "Tennessee fans, I've always felt that they were pretty dignified, except for maybe that mustard bottle thing."
Mccoig creates the originals and then sells prints of them on his Etsy website.