Kiwi-Aussie couple behind '31 days in' are now drawing Canberra
Artists Zoe Elliott and Tim Vaughan-Sanders originally met in Chile, where they both happened to be adventuring a few years ago. She was from Perth, he was from Wellington.
The duo began drawing their encounters while they were in transit. This turned into 31 days in, a project where they spend 31 days in one city, capturing the people, landscape and icons with one illustration a day.
"It's our unique way of recording the places we've been. We've never really enjoyed doing a fly-by of a place, spending 2-3 days in a city, it never feels like enough. This project is our way of stationing ourselves in a place and getting to know it," said Vaughan-Sanders.
With destinations like Paris, Belgium, Barcelona and The Faroe Islands in their artists' dossier, the Wellington-based couple are currently drawing Canberra.
Since arriving on Saturday, they've illustrated Parliament House and Floriade, but they're hoping Canberrans will come to them with some insider's tips.
Already inspired by the "stretched out" landscape, they've hired a car. I note that this was wise as our public transport isn't yet at its peak, which brings them to something they believe is a shining light in our capital: the bus stops.
In their incense-filled Ainslie Airbnb, their new housemates have given them recommendations, including the Belconnen owl.
They mention they'd like to portray it "tastefully", but I tell them not to bother. Showcase it in its phallic glory, or else.
Elliott is keen to explore more of Canberra's "brutalist architecture".
Since their first 31 days in stint in 2015, the team has worked in tandem. On location, Elliott shoots the images, and when they return to their accommodation, Vaughan-Sanders draws it.
"We do this so we don't look like douche bags out in public, just perched in front of a building painting. We try keep a low profile. The drawings are usually done in the dead of night, in a rush," said Vaughan-Sanders.
As you can imagine, releasing art daily while abroad is a logistical challenge.
The duo have a unique approach to their art in that they draw it on paper, paint portions of it and scan it onto their computer to digitally colour the rest.
This means that wherever they go, they need to find a reliable scanner. This exercise has made them more acquainted with the foreign offices and libraries than the usual traveller.
"It's hard keeping up with doing one a day. If you slip a little bit, it's hard to keep on top of," said Vaughan-Sanders.
"We haven't missed a day yet," said Elliott.
So where to next? They're open to ideas on that too. Finland, Antarctica and Colombia top their current wish list.
"We like to pick places that aren't necessarily obvious. When we decided on Canberra, we got many surprised people asking: "Why Canberra?"
With family history in the bush capital, Elliott says she can't resist smaller cities like ours, the places with "hidden gems".
Elliott and Vaughan-Sanders's dream is to continuously travel, going from one 31-day stint to another. But for now, it's a seasonal thing.
"At the moment, we've got our heads down working normal jobs. In Wellington, we work government jobs when we aren't travelling. It's a similar city to Canberra," said Vaughan-Sanders.
To send Zoe and Tim ideas on what to draw in Canberra, contact them on 31daysin@gmail.com or @31daysinBCN. Prints are available from their Etsy store, and a portion of proceeds from the sale of artwork will be donated to the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Most Viewed in National
Please explain
A weekly podcast giving you insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Listen now