Waging a colour-soaked, joy-fuelled rebellion against boring beige, Art Shed has been proudly colouring outside the lines since Cindy Kent established the business in her garage, back in the days of dial-up internet and people not really trusting buying online. Today, Art Shed is not only a booming online store, but it also has locations in both Melbourne and Brisbane. All are welcomed into the community created by this independent, family-run Aussie business, and we had the pleasure of catching up with Cindy for more on the artist’s candy store she operates. Whether a customer is a first-time paint dabbler or a professional artist who knows their gesso from their gouache, everything they could ever want can be found at this independent art supply store. It shelves are stacked with everything from brand-name art supplies through to creative kits for beginners, craft gear, and classroom favourites. However, what Art Shed really sells is confidence, joy, and the permission to make a glorious mess – all in the name of art and creativity. In this way, it appeals to the artist in everyone. From stressed-out school mums to retirees, art teachers, professional painters, and children picking up a paintbrush for the first time, Art Shed is proud to be there for the loud ones, the quiet ones, the self-taught ones, and the ones who have never quite felt like they belong in a ‘proper’ art shop. The team here – who are artists, educators, creatives, and self-professed misfits in their own right – show up for customers, providing them with all of the supplies and support they need. These are real artists giving real advice. As the total opposite of a boring art shop, Art Shed’s values reflect its anti-beige stance, and the team are not afraid to break the rules and say what they mean, championing chaos and those late-night breakthroughs when a project finally comes together. There is no snobbery here, and although some of the staff have PhDs in fine art, they treat everyone – from the professional stocking their studio to the novice buying their first paintbrush – with the same cheeky and expert advice. Nobody talks down to anyone, and everyone is treated with respect. The human service that everyone can enjoy at Art Shed is something that sets it apart in a world where ‘customer care’ increasingly looks like an unhelpful AI chatbot. Whether in-store or online, the customer service here is as real as the supplies lining the shelves, and whenever the phone is picked up or an email is answered, the person doing so is one of the real artists comprising the team, as seen through the combination of helpful advice and a cheeky joke they will surely provide – something technology alone can’t replicate. On this, Cindy explained: “We talk. We listen. We walk customers through product options, colour choices, art mediums, and weird creative problems like, ‘Can I use this paint on gum leaves?’ (Yes. We tested it).” She continued: “Whether it’s in-store, online, on the phone or via email, you’ll get real help, served with a smile and maybe a cheeky comment about glitter.” The result is inspiration, the feeling that being creative is possible for anyone, no matter their skill level. And this is what is so rewarding for Cindy. Cindy and Art Shed are forever tied together, given the early days of the business saw her run it alone from her garage, juggling nappies and invoices as she packed parcels full of art supplies to send to a growing customer base across Australia. She was even packing parcels the mornings both of her daughters were born – literally. There have never been investors, a warehouse, or even a roadmap, and Art Shed was – and still is – built on the belief that art should always be fun, accessible, and never ever be beige. Things have certainly changed over the years, such as those two daughters who were raised surrounded by colour, good chaos, and endless creativity both having grown up and taken on important roles alongside their mother. Kira-Lee manages all of Art Shed’s marketing, whilst Sarsha leads digital content and SEO. They possess the same passion as Cindy has had now for over two decades, and it is this real family ethos that gives Art Shed the sort of culture that simply cannot be found in any other art store, anywhere. Like with any business, Art Shed’s culture starts and ends with its team. Cindy recognises that Best Online Art Supplies Retailer 2026 AIS-Dec25033
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