Log Home Living

March 2006

page 14

Grounds for Fine Art

A piping hot cup of coffee may already be the perfect morning pick-me-up, but two Minnesota artists are out to prove that there’s more to coffee than just cream and sugar. Whether you’re a daily visitor at your neighborhood Starbucks or just an occasional caffeine imbiber, you’ll agree that this coffee on canvas is anything but your average joe.

Inspired by their first coffeehouse art show in Duluth, Angel Sarkela-Saur and Andy Saur began their foray into java art by sketching with pastels they concocted from coffee beans and grounds. But it was their watercolor technique that proved most effective.

With a palette of subtle browns ranging from latte to mocha to espresso, Angel and Andy achieve a broad range of shading in their artwork. They do this by adding varying amounts of water to a rich, dark pot of coffee. Brewed at its darkest, coffee has a thick, tar quality, ideal for capturing texture. A few drops of water soften lines, creating a tranquil look.

“It’s fascinating to paint a subject with the stuff it’s made of,” says Angel, who associates the sepia tones of her work with old photos. Andy, who takes inspiration from day-to-day experiences, has captured everything from coffee cups to ants. Through folk tales and musicians, Andy’s Scandinavian heritage also has found its way into his artwork.

When it comes to incorporating coffee compositions into their homes, Angel and Andy’s customers display their still lifes, landscapes and portraits anywhere and everywhere they’ll be noticed. Created with such a unique medium, these works make fantastic conversation pieces. Enjoy them in any room of the house – over a cup of coffee, of course.

The paintings are priced from $250 and include mounting and matting. A limited amount of signed 5-by-7 prints are available for $10 each. For more information, or to discuss a custom commission, contact Angel or Andy at justcoffeeart@yahoo.com.