CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — Inspiration can hit an artist in many ways and at any time. "I can remember in elementary school," reflected Keshawn McBride. It hit the Charlotte native there as he'd spend hours drawing his favorite comic book heroes. "Batman is my favorite," he smiles. Triad guidance counselor named North Carolina School Counselor of the Year It came for him again years later, when a voice told him not to give up his dream. "I never told nobody about this," he admits. And then once more at 19, not too long after he dropped out of college, telling him to take that big chance. "One day, I was in my apartment just painting. All of a sudden, I just had this idea to message an NFL player." That player was Kenny Robinson, one of McBride's heroes who played for the Panthers. McBride was curious if Robinson might want to do business. CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 26: Carolina Panthers safety Kenny Robinson (27) during a NFL preseason football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Carolina Panthers on August 26, 2022 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) "I hit him up," McBride says. “He said, 'Let's lock-in'. It went from there." And IT has shown no signs of stopping. Now four years later, the Charlotte native has become an artist to the pro athletes past and present, assembling his own all-star team of clients. Darius Leonard, Justin Jefferson. Frankie Luvu, Shaq Thompson. McBride says he's beginning to lose track of who he's mentioned and who he hasn't. Beloved Winston-Salem community volunteer retires after 34 years of service "Oh, there is a whole bunch." So many apparently, he can't even keep the names straight. But what he does remember is the climb. When early on, all he could get as clients were his family members. Credit: @artby_keshawn "Back then I charged a hundred dollars (per painting)," he said. And now? "It's like $500 and up," he says. "It was a big change." But through the years what has stayed the same is the drive. After all, every painting has a story. "Just like with the black and white," he says referring to his painting of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. "TV started as black and white. I used that as an example as a new beginning." And McBride is confident that he's the best at telling it. "I can paint anything." And what that, he had to get back to work. Inspiration had hit him again.