A Katikati artist is taking the world of celebrity portraits one painting at a time with his latest masterpiece landing him the chance to meet his childhood hero Dwanye ‘The Rock' Johnson.

Jason Manukau recently met the American actor and semi-retired professional wrestler on the Gold Coast, Australia – an opportunity the avid wrestling fan never dreamed his artwork would present.

Jason Mankau and Dwayne ‘The Rock' Johnson meet in Australia.

The 32-year-old, who moved to Melbourne nine years ago, has developed a following for his artwork on social media sites Instragram and Facebook.

Posts showing his portrait of Dwayne were spotted by a friend of the star's stunt double who arranged for the pair to meet.

Just weeks later, Jason flew to the Gold Coast, where Dwayne was filming, to come face-to-face with his childhood hero.

'It just sort of blew me away because he just walked out the door and said ‘Jason' and I was just in shock.

'It was like catching up with one of the bros you went school with, there was a big hug and big handshakes.”

The Rock has since posted a photo from the meeting – with Jason, himself and the artwork – on his Facebook page, receiving more than 600,000 likes and nearly 10,000 shares.

Jason has been airbrushing for three and a half years.

His work has seen him paint and meet numerous American music celebrities, including rapper The Game, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Snoop Dogg and chart topper Jason Derulo.

The former Kaitkati resident specialises in airbrush artwork including portraits, body painting and murals.

His artistic status is also beginning to catch on in Australia, with sports stars including Wallabies first five Quade Cooper approaching Jason for custom artwork.

But he is keen to bring his work back to New Zealand, with aspirations to add to his Kiwi collection – currently including Tauranga musician Tiki Taane.

'I want to do the All Blacks and Richie McCaw, also Kevin Mealamu; the guys that have reached 100 games.”

Jason meets The Game.