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Why have one artist create this year’s Christmas art trail, when you can have three!

That’s exactly how Balla-Rat’s Star came to be.

Following the highly-successful Christmas art walk last year, the City of Ballarat has joined forces with three local artists to create a new interactive experience for residents and visitors.

This new art trail focuses on the adventures of two friendly rats, Balla and Pete, who are on a journey to find the perfect star to adorn their Christmas tree.

Artists Travis Price, Ben Sanders and Caroline Keys have come together to bring to life this uniquely Ballarat experience.

But where did the idea of Balla and Pete come from?

For Travis, these friendly rats were inspired by his childhood.

“Thinking back to my own childhood I always loved Richard Scarry and Asterix Comics, so I wanted Balla and Pete to have the cheekiness of the characters from those stories,” he said.

Based on Travis’ idea, Caroline then brought the two characters to life.

“We had decided that Balla was the chief protagonist and that Pete was her sidekick, so that influenced their personalities,” Caroline said.

“I love vintage illustration and I looked at some of my old picture books and annuals for inspiration – my characters were created using a dripping pen and ink, and then coloured with gouache and watercolours.”

But what makes this art project so unique, is that each artist has added their own flair to the characters Balla and Pete.

“Caroline Key’s initial sketches of Balla and Pete were so charming that it was instantly settled that Travis and I take our cues from those sketches. Our three styles are distinct, so it was inevitable that we ended up producing three very different versions of the characters,” Ben said.

You may notice Ben, Caroline and Travis out on the streets of Ballarat throughout November as they begin to transform their sketches into life-sized public art for the entire community to enjoy this festive season.

Their 10 designs together tell the story of Balla and Pete’s quest for the perfect star.

What’s most exciting about the project is the fact everyone can take part in the experience.

So why not pick up your copy of the trail map from the Visitor Information Centre at Town Hall, or download it online at christmasinballarat.com.au

It’s then as simple as following the trail to discover how Balla and Pete find the perfect star for their tree.

And don’t forget to take your camera and share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #christmasinballarat

Travis Price

Ben Sanders

Caroline Keys

Two Minutes with Ben Sanders

Kicking off his professional illustration career at the age of 12, Ben has since created commissioned works for clients including Harrods, Wall St Journal and The Natural Confectionery Co. In 2012, Ben wrote and illustrated the internationally acclaimed children's book “I've an Uncle Ivan”. Ben is currently creating a new series with Lothian Children's Books.  

Where did your art journey begin?

If we rewind to 1986, I was 12-years-old and I landed my first freelance illustration brief from Ballarat publishing outfit – Family Reading Publications. I was commissioned to produce 32 illustrations for stickers and other stationery items.

The stickers ended up in overseas markets and meant that as a ‘spotty’ teenager I didn’t need to push supermarket trolleys on weekends. 

My dad was my biggest influence and landed me my first gig as an illustrator.

Stylistically, I’m fond of post WWII poster artists like Herve Morvan, editorial illustrators like Jim Flora and book illustrators like Sasek – It doesn’t get better than these three masters.

What is it about this year’s art trail that you think families will enjoy the most? 

The interaction with each scene is a lot of fun. Kids will enjoy being part of the picture and interacting with the characters.  It’s also an experience that can easily be shared on social media. 

What has it been like to work with two other local artists? 

I’ve worked with Trav before, but it’s the first time I’ve collaborated with Caroline. It’s so good working with creative people because everybody approaches a challenge differently, so there is always something you can learn from the experience. Just seeing what Trav and Caroline have produced for this project is a great reward for me.  They’re not only local, they’re legendary. 

What do you enjoy most about sharing your work with the community? 

That the installations might bring some unexpected joy this Christmas. 

Do you have a favourite stop on the map?

The very beginning of the trail is my favourite. It’s the home setting of the characters and it’s the beginning of a story that can only be told on the streets of Ballarat.  It’s also beautifully illustrated by Caroline. 

Two Minutes with Caroline Keys

Growing up in South Africa, Caroline only ever wanted to be an artist.

After studying, she cut her teeth illustrating books for rural African schools before moving to Australia. She continues to work for educational publishers as well as on picture books and in recent years has been busy illustrating Snugglepot and Cuddlepie for a series of May Gibbs books commissioned by Scholastic.

Where did your art journey begin?

Art has been my passion ever since I could hold a crayon. I was constantly drawing as a child. From the age of two onwards I had a neighbour the same age as me and we spent every day either trying to outdraw each other or playing outside using our imaginations.

A good imagination is essential for an illustrator and I guess I was lucky because in the late 70s and early 80s in South Africa there was barely any TV (and obviously no gadgets) to compete for my attention, unlike for children these days.

I am particularly inspired by a few old picture books from my childhood, including one that belonged to my mother, and I still refer to them constantly.

It amazes me how the styles in these books have had such a big and lasting influence on my own and I still find the pictures just as magical now as I did when I was five.

What is it about this year’s art trail that you think families will enjoy the most?

Ben, who is also a published children’s author as well as an illustrator, has created an excellent rhyming story for the trail that kids will love and the fact that the whole thing is completely unique to Ballarat should make residents proud.

It's a decent sized trail that can be done in one go or in parts if the children are younger and there are plenty of great cafes, restaurants and shops along the way for refreshment breaks and a bit of Christmas shopping.

What has it been like to work with two other local artists?

I've loved working with Travis and Ben and I feel very honoured to be included in this project because they're both such amazing and accomplished illustrators and in a different league to me.  

What do you enjoy most about sharing your work with the community?

I think that street art is really uplifting and fun and I love that Balla-Rat's Star is a Walking trail because it gets families out of their cars and engaging with one another. The centre of Ballarat has so many beautiful buildings and interesting laneways that the public might not have discovered before.

What role to you think art has in creating a better community?

Art on the streets encourages people to stop and notice their surroundings more. The extra colour it brings is also so uplifting as buildings can be very monochrome.

Do you have a favourite stop on the map?

My favourite stop is Travis Price's Balla and Pete on a bike, whizzing downhill, with the beautiful Town Hall in the background.

Two Minutes with Travis Price

A product of the University of Ballarat, Travis began his career as a graphic designer before transitioning to commercial illustrator. Twenty years on and he has worked for everyone from Mambo through to Nike, UnderArmour, Pearl Jam and The Boston Globe. Working from his home studio Travis continues to share his love for Ballarat throughhis local murals projects.  

Where did your art journey begin?

I loved drawing from an early age but my time studying graphic design at the University of Ballarat really pushed me and I made lifelong friendships who’ve all continued their own journeys into diverse creative fields.

What is it about this trail that you think families will enjoy the most? 

I always find it fun with my own family walking through the CBD, but in this case you can follow the story of Balla and Pete and get some fun photos interacting with the art on the way. It’s uniquely a Ballarat Christmas story and I encourage people to think of all the other places in Ballarat that Balla and Pete might be able to find a star.

What has it been like to work with two other local artists? 

It’s been amazing. I’ve been friends with Caroline and Ben for what must be over 10 years now and it was great to work with them. The initial brainstorming just flowed naturally, and you could feed off each other compared to working solo.

What do you enjoy most about sharing your work with the community? 

Much of my work is outside of Ballarat and you don’t always see who it connects with. It’s really humbling to see a wide range of local people appreciate and connect with what you do.

What role to you think art has in creating a better community? 

It’s hard to quantify art because it can be quietly or anonymously appreciated and in most cases it’s free. I honestly believe public art makes people happier and it’s amazing how some colours on a wall can transform a space to relax people or entice them to spend time there.

Do you have a favourite stop on the map? Why did you select this one? 

Ooooo it’s a hard one … I think the Gold shop window – the illusion of reverse perspective still confuses me.