Coffee Creativity
Karen Anne C. Liquete

Andrew Saur and Angel Sarkela-Saur have been painting with coffee for several years now. It all started one summer when they planned their first art show in a coffee house in Minnesota. They wanted to come up with something unique and creative. Since their show was going to take place in a coffee house, they thought it would be appropriate to use coffee as their medium.

Curious people who view Andrew and Angela’s work are amazed that their artwork is painted entirely in coffee - no additives, just 100 percent pure coffee.

In this interview, Andrew and Angel share with us their passion for making art out of coffee.

Students and Campuses Bulletin (SCB): How did you get involved with coffee art?

Andrew and Angel (AA): We became involved with our Coffee Art® many years ago when we were planning an art exhibition at a coffeehouse here in Duluth, Minnesota. We were both artists just out of the University of Minnesota Duluth and we wanted a creative outlet. We visited one particular coffeehouse quite often and we noticed that art was changing monthly. We inquired about having a show, but the next opening was in eight months. We pondered and thought about what we wanted to do. Since the art exhibition was in a coffeehouse, we thought that we would be creative and try using coffee as our medium.

SCB: How did the idea come about?

AA: We first tried sanding down a coffee bean to use it like a pencil, but that did not work. Next, we tried a pastel recipe, substituting coffee grounds for pigment, but that did not work well either. But, we knew that coffee stained, and we tried it as a watercolor technique. We refined our process, and this is how Coffee Art® was created.


SCB: How do you distinguish good quality coffee material for use in your coffee art?

AA: We prefer specialty grade coffee for our coffee art medium. Through our experience we have developed a preference for darker roasts.

SCB: What is your most well-loved piece in the collection? Why?

AA: Andy’s favorite Coffee Art® painting is "John the Bookmaker." It is a large scale painting, about 5’x3’ and it features his good friend, John. He is a kind man and has quite a bit of character.

Angel’s favorite Coffee Art® painting is always changing. She loves each one. However, Nordic Shadow Play is one that stands out. She was inspired while cross country skiing through the forest. The way the sunlight created shadows through the trees was unique. The shadow of the skier seemed to merge with the shadows of the trees. The peacefulness of skiing through the forest was wonderful. The painting is 5’ x 3’ in size which invites the viewer into the scene.

SCB: What are the strengths and weaknesses of using coffee as art material?

AA: The strength and weakness in working with coffee is that we are only working with one color. The choices are simplified to lighter or darker when working with color. Coffee color is warm and appealing. We have to be creative in our design process to make our concept come across to the viewer only using one color.

SCB: What are the most exciting parts of working with coffee as material?

AA: The most exciting parts of working with coffee as a medium being pioneers of this new art movement. People have been drinking coffee for thousands of years, and here we are today, creating artwork with coffee. We think that this is very exciting!

SCB: Do you plan your work in advance or do you let the work unfold as the inspiration strikes?

AA: For the most part, we usually have a concept or idea that we initially start of with. From there, we paint and the work evolves as we get more into the artwork.

SCB: Do you still drink coffee even if you use it as material?

AA: Andy has never really liked the taste of coffee, but he will have the occasional mocha. He prefers the scent of coffee, but not the taste. Angel on the other hand, she is quite the coffee connoisseur.

SCB: What makes you passionate about pursuing the art?

AA: We are passionate about pursuing art because of the experiences we have had in creating our works. Developing our ideas and portraying them in coffee is extremely satisfying. In every Coffee Art® Exhibition, we meet unique and interesting people from all over the world. It is in forging these relationships that also makes this our passion.

SCB: What reactions do you get from people who see your works for the first time?

AA: Reactions from people that view our works for the first time are interesting and unique. Sometimes people will stand and stare at the artwork. They contemplate for a while, and then they ask what it is painted from. We tell them that the work is painted with coffee. At that moment, we can see the light go on in their head and a smile ensues. Since coffee is a new medium some people may not take the idea too seriously. However, once people see our art and examine the concepts and ideas, they see that we are accomplished artists creating original fine works of art.

SCB: How do you get around your creative blocks?

AA: Many times we will need to leave the art for a while. We get around our creative blocks by taking long walks, listening to live music or going to a coffee shop to be inspired by people and caffeine. Then, we come back to it with a fresh mind and the ideas begin to come together.

SCB: Describe to us the creative process you go through from idea creation to finished product presentation?

AA: We get our ideas from our environment, traveling, hobbies and more. Once we have a general idea, we sketch out the idea. It may take many drafts before it is more tangible. Once we have a good idea of what we want our painting to look like, and say, we begin. We sketch a very basic image just to have placement set up. Then we begin painting with coffee on the canvas. The painting emerges most near the end with the final details.

SCB: What would be the ultimate coffee art project for you?

AA: Large scale is so much fun. So, we would like to paint a massive mural with coffee.