University of Otago management and marketing student Emma Millburn has set herself a challenge to complete 100 paintings of iconic Dunedin spots — ranging from beaches, businesses, people, places or simply whatever catches her eye.
So far she had completed about 40.
"My goal is to connect how special a place Dunedin is — [and to] document my growth as an artist."
Miss Millburn grew up in Dunedin, then left and spent time living in other places before coming back for her studies.
"I’ve lived in lots of other places, but Dunedin is definitely home — it’s really special to be able to explore where I spent my childhood."
Painting 100 places where she grew up meant she got a chance to get out of the house, meet people she would not usually meet and create art special to her.
Posting her updates on social media also "forced her" to keep it going.
She recently finished a piece featuring the Dunedin Bowling Club, and her next painting will be of the University of Otago student magazine Critic Te Ārohi.
She hoped the paintings would remind people of the beauty of Dunedin, and maybe encourage some to come down and visit the beaches, hidden gems and the businesses had painted.
The project also had a secondary goal: to gain some experience running a marketing campaign.
"I really wanted to get into marketing, but nobody would hire me as I have no experience, which is fair enough — so I just thought I should just start putting my stuff out there."
Posting on social media meant she had a way to see much her skills as an artist had improved, provided a place for people to see her work from anywhere in the world and it also kept a digital portfolio of what she could do as an artist and marketer.
"Everything is planned — what may look like a simple post or painting often has months of behind-the-scenes work, research, conversations, site visits, strategy and editing."
Her work can be viewed on her Instagram account, @ekmvirtualstudios.
