If anyone doubts there’s a world of difference between illegal graffiti and street art, they need only check out some of Sheldon Headspeath’s stunning work.
Sheldon is an artist in the purist sense of the word; it’s just his pieces are more likely to be on concrete than canvas. Commissioned by councils, schools and business owners, they are about as far from unsightly tags as it’s possible to get.
“From fish and chip shops to gyms, boats to trucks, anything with a surface is a good canvas,” he says. “We always have new commission work on the go. At the moment we have a Mexican-themed wall on the Mornington Peninsula, a few cafes with different themes - one a Buddha and the other a grey tone mixed cityscape/street scene - and another gym with a basketball scene to be done, just to mention a few. We’re always up for more.”
Sheldon runs State of the Art 3199 with his wife, Karlie, and their children Lucas and Miker. It’s a specialised art supply business focusing on legal street art for muralists working on commissions, and it opened last December.
“Karlie and I have thought about starting an art supply business for 10 years or so and thought the time was right. We are selling everything ‘street art’, from paints, pens, inks and canvas to books, magazines, clothing and music. We also run a home and garden business that definitely helps us get through.”
Born, raised and living in Frankston, Sheldon says he’s always had a keen interest in all forms of art, whether on paper, canvas or concrete. “I have been an artist for 20-plus years, starting as a kid that loved to draw. I was infatuated with painting of any sort. At the moment I’m on a slight hiatus from an airbrush course.”
Sheldon and Karlie have also just taken on a workshop for a select few kids at Westpark in Hastings through the Good Shepherd Wallaroo Community Centre, teaching them the responsible use of aerosols and creating a positive environment through art, painting fences with murals and cleaning up part of the community.
The state of street art is very healthy indeed.
STATE OF THE ART 3199
A: 3B Olsen St, Frankston
T: 0418 361 867
FB: https://www.facebook.com/State-Of-The-ART-3199-1628679170726860/