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          NFL Nation

          Panthers' Robert McClain makes nice profit from art sale to Cam Newton

          • David Newton, ESPN Staff WriterOct 27, 2016, 05:30 PM ET
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              David Newton is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Carolina Panthers. Newton began covering Carolina in 1995 and came to ESPN in 2006 as a NASCAR reporter before joining NFL Nation in 2013. You can follow Newton on Twitter at @DNewtonespn.
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          CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Robert McClain was sitting at his locker on Thursday when Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton randomly stopped to look at the cornerback’s artwork.

          Yes, artwork.

          McClain brought three of his abstract paintings to Bank of America Stadium and set up a small studio in the adjacent locker that belonged to Bene’ Benwikere before he was released three weeks ago.

          Newton was intrigued by the painting that featured the silhouette of a woman with red rain-like streams of water pouring over her. So the NFL MVP asked McClain how much he wanted for it.

          McClain said $140.

          Newton gave him $200.

          “If I could start knocking out three or four pieces a week, I could live on that for a little bit,’’ McClain said with a laugh. “I had change and everything for him, but I’ll take it. I’ll put it back in my little art bucket of money.’’

          McClain hopes one day his hobby turns into a career. For now the Panthers (1-5) are hoping the 5-foot-9, 195-pound Philadelphia native can paint Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, or whoever he’s covering, into a corner in Sunday’s game.

          Coach Ron Rivera said McClain will start opposite rookie Daryl Worley against the Cardinals (3-3-1) unless something changes over the next couple of days.

          But McClain is a talented artist.

          “Very expressive,’’ Charlotte-based artist Terry Thirion said after viewing a photograph of the painting Newton purchased. “I can’t really see the paint layers or execution of it, but he should continue on his journey.’’

          McClain began painting at the age of 4. Today he has his own website, McClainart.org, filled with samples of his work.

          The piece Newton purchased, called “Red Rain Woman,’’ is listed for $30. So maybe McClain is a shrewd businessman in addition to an artist and football player.

          McClain began painting shoes during the bye weekend. On Wednesday, he brought a pair of skateboard shoes he designed with fabric pens.

          “I don’t like sticking to just one thing,’’ McClain said. “You look at my [web]page, it’s pencil, charcoal, paint. I don’t like sticking to one medium.’’

          McClain does most of his work out of a studio in his house. The room also includes a tattoo table.

          Yes, McClain is a tattoo artist as well.

          “I learned how to tattoo last summer,’’ McClain said. “I love tattoos. I’ve tattooed like five people.’’

          No, McClain hasn’t tattooed Newton or any of his teammates.

          “I don’t think they’re confident in my skills on the skin, yet,’’ said McClain, who designed most of the tattoos on his right arm and back. “I’m not confident in them, yet. I’ve done some small stuff, but nothing major.’’

          But McClain is confident in his skills as a painter. He never knows what will inspire him. One of the pieces he brought to the stadium came after he saw his own shadow on the sidewalk.

          McClain had so many players stop by his locker to look at his work on Thursday that he suggested equipment manager Jackie Miles might have to hang a sign that says, “McClain’s Art’’ where the player’s name placard normally is.

          But what he really needs is more sales like the one to high-profile clients like Newton, who has a huge social media following.

          “It’s kind of difficult sometimes with the social-media stuff,’’ McClain said. “There’s so much stuff on the news feed people don’t see what you post sometimes.

          “So I just need a retweet from Cam [on this sale] and I’m hoping my sales go up.’’