Mount Maunganui artist Owen Dippie is using his artistic talents to support the teen cancer charity Canteen this week by painting a portrait of the King of Pop – Michael Jackson.

Mount Maunganui artist Owen Dippie painting his portrait of the King of Pop. Photo: supplied.

Known for his giant street artworks of famous portraits around Tauranga, Owen – commonly known as OD – has painted another famed face to celebrate the release of the late Michael Jackson's album ‘Xscape'.

'I have been a big Michael Jackson fan since I was a kid,” says Owen, who managed to produce the piece in one day, ahead of this week's May 13 album release.

'I got involved with this project because Michael was a great humanitarian and did a lot of charity work for children all over the world.”

It took Owen a little more than eight hours to paint the portrait at a special tribute event in Auckland on May 9.

'I was honoured to gift this painting to CanTeen – an organisation that not only helps teenagers with cancer, but also the families affected by this horrible illness.”

The talented artist is now putting down the spray-can and picking up the clippers to shave his iconic locks in support of his friend who has bone cancer.

Owen is having his head to raise money for his 14-year-old friend Kereopa McDonald - diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February.

The 30-year-old is also painting a mural on Arataki Community Centre in honour of Kereopa and his family.

'I am painting this mural as a symbol of strength, love, unity and support for Kereopa and the McDonald family,” says the Owen.

More than $600 has been donated to the Givealittle page set up by Owen, who will make a date for the shave later this month.

Read more about Owen's fundraising efforts in this Friday's The Weekend Sun.

Donations can also be made at Owen's Ashworth Lane gallery in Mount Maunganui or by clicking here.