At a little 24-hour takeaway shop in Bundaberg, the orders come thick and fast for hot chips smothered in cheese and gravy.
The Hungry Tum is well-loved by locals in the south-east Queensland city, especially after the pubs and clubs close in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday.
But as bleary-eyed regulars stumble through the door, few probably stop to consider the beauty of the building and the value of their pre-dawn chippy chatter.
Chris Poulsen is a teacher, well-known jazz musician and artist who is trying to open people's eyes and minds to the little things in life.
Poulsen has just launched a display of paintings celebrating the beauty of local architecture and the faces behind the facades.
"These places become a real cherished part of our life," he said.
"That's something special about a smaller town that you don't get in a bigger place."
Fresh eyes make the mundane beautiful
When Poulsen, wife Emma and their four children (now five) moved to Bundaberg from Brisbane in 2019, the family soon discovered unique experiences in the city.
With less gentrification and diversity of family run shops, Mr Poulsen became fascinated with the "quirky" and down-to-earth nature of landmarks locals love.
"I'm not a local, but I'm trying to become a local," he said.
"These are places I'm trying to get to know, and I hear locals talking about them so affectionately."
Exploring the city using knowledge from family and friends, Mr Poulsen instantly fell in love with a fish and chip shop that had not changed in more than 75 years and was run by the same Chinese migrant family for 55 years.
It was one of the first shops he decided to paint.
"One of our favourites is the Busy Bee chips," he said.
"There is just nothing like that place anywhere else.
"And it's lovely to see when someone views the painting, you can just see the love for that shop or building on their face."
Kent and Lyn Wong owned the Busy Bee Fish Bar but retired in early 2021 and Mr Wong died shortly after hanging up his apron and stepping back from the deep fryer.
Mr Poulsen was thankful he managed to paint Mrs Wong cooking their famous chips before the end of their era.
"It's so important to me," he said.
"Even in Brisbane, I felt it important to capture a building just before it was demolished."
The paintings have been hung in a second-hand book shop after the owner put out a call for local artists.
Mr Poulsen did not title the collection of works, but hoped viewers would be reminded of the bespoke value of life in regional Queensland.
"I'd like people to appreciate what's around them," he said.
"Being thankful and kinda proud of the area.
"Just looking for beauty in the everyday and walk around appreciating the things around us."
