Collie resident Luke Shepherd has turned his interest in spray-paint art into a lucrative professional and personal endeavour.
Mr Shepherd began creating works of art in December last year after his father’s passing.
Learning from YouTube tutorials, he honed his skills by experimenting with varying styles and techniques.
“It was a de-stress method, it all started with colouring-in books and different styles of art that I tried and I wasn’t very good at and then I came across this and I thought I’d have a go,” he said.
“To start with I didn't have the right materials so I was just doing it on paper and it started looking alright so I thought if I could do this on paper and find the right stuff it should come out really good.
“It'’s a bit weird because no one in my family considers themselves to have an arts’ bone in them so this has been a little bit out of left field for the whole family and myself.”
The self-employed artist has since developed hundreds of designs over the past seven months.
He has also applied his skills to everything from vehicles to pet enclosures for clients.
“Basically, it’s the way I de-stress, that’s what it came from, and as I have progressed it’s starting to take off a little bit now and I’m getting a fair bit of work out of it,” he said.
“A lot of the works that I’ve done to date I’ve given out dirt cheap, just to get stuff out there and get my name out there and I’m getting a little bit of a following so it’s been good.”
Mr Shepherd has employed stencils and tools to outline each colour and layer on the canvas.
He also uses scratch art techniques along with paintbrushes, newspaper, glad wrap and sponges to create different effects.
“I can’t even draw a stick figure but this style gives it depth and dimension and that’s why I enjoy it,” he said.
“I haven’t cornered myself with any of my art, I’ve tried to branch out and do lots of different styles and methods and it’s all very abstract.”
His work has featured pyramids, planets, underwater landscapes, and dreamcatchers illuminated by bright colour schemes.
He is currently developing designs featuring Australian landscapes and landmarks.
“A lot of the time I’m just sitting watching TV and having a yarn with one of my mates and I’ll have something pop into my head,” he said.
“I don’t know where they come from but it’s like: “that would be a good idea, I could do that”.”
Mr Shepherd said he was humbled by the community’s overwhelming support.
“I’ve found Collie to be a real artistic community, to be honest, there is a hell of a lot of people that do little bits and pieces here and there,” he said.
“I’ve already had a win because everything I have done so far for the people that I’ve worked for, they’ve love it.”
Mr Shepherd is currently displaying his works at the Allanson Farmers Markets.
He plans to enter the Collie Art Gallery's Watch This Space exhibition next year and hopes to set up art workshops for young people in town.
