Sometimes the subject of their paintings is coffee-related, but primarily they paint nature scenes, portraits (including self-portraits) and
Scandinavian-themed images. Most of the Nordic-related art comes from Andrew, who is rapt by visions of Viking ships battling maelstroms. In addition to painting with coffee, he does woodcarvings -some of Nordic wood
spirits.

" We¹re inspired by our activities and our heritage," Angel says. "Whatever
moves us at the time."

After a trip to Iceland, Andrew painted an image he saw in graffiti of a boy with outstretched arms. It turned out to be the promotion of the
Icelandic ambient rock band Sigur Ros. Last fall, when the band performed in Minneapolis, Angel and Andrew presented the painting to keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson.

Angel and Andrew work together on some paintings, but started out doing solo projects.

" I had trouble working with another artist," Angel admits. "I didn¹t want to be influenced by his ideas. Now I¹m more relaxed about it."

The Coffee Artists are native Minnesotans; Angel is originally from Gilbert and Andrew from Two Harbors. They met as freshmen in the dorms at the University of Minnesota Duluth and got to know each other in an Introduction
to Music class ­ thanks to the alphabetical seating chart. (There aren¹t many names between Sarkela and Saur.)

Andrew fondly remembers the day Angel forgot her textbook, and he came to the rescue. "This pretty girl asked me to share a book with her!" he
beams, still seeming surprised at his good fortune.

One day after college, they saw each other going opposite ways on Duluth¹s Lakewalk and stopped to chat. It was then that their first date was set.

They intended to go rollerblading, but instead went to the Pickwick restaurant to get out of the rain.

A coffee painting called "Our First Date" commemorates the event. It was purchased by the Pickwick¹s owner and hangs near the bar. Andrew and Angel were married in 2003.

Despite their artistic success, the Coffee Artists say they¹re not quitting their day jobs any time soon. Andrew is a graphic designer for Krech
Ojard & Associates; Angel does graphic design and other marketing work for, appropriately enough, Alakef Coffee Roasters.

The couple will be featured in a documentary film airing later this year in several Nordic countries. Filmmaker Erkki Maattanen spent three weeks
in the Midwest last August shooting for the film, which is about Finnish-Americans.

"This artwork has led to some interesting experiences," Angel says. "It¹s really been opening a lot of doors."

Andrew recalls answering a phone call two years ago from someone representing the U.S. Department of State.

"Oh my God," he thought. "What¹d I do?"

The call turned out to be a request for coffee art to hang in the U.S. Embassy in the African Republic of Malawi, where coffee is a significant
export.

Articles about Angel and Andy¹s work have been published in newspapers and
magazines in Australia, Taiwan, India, Belgium and Finland. In 2004, they appeared on the Food Network¹s "Unwrapped" program.

As news of the Coffee Artists stretches across the globe, Andrew and Angel expect to find more and more people trying the medium.

"We pride ourselves on our originality, being one of the first ones." Andrew says.

"It¹s neat that we can inspire other people to try this process."

Who knows what will be next for the Coffee Artists... maybe a coffee-table book about coffee tables.

Paul Lundgren is a Duluth-based freelance writer who never drinks coffee, but enjoys a shot or two of espresso with his Guinness.