This Artist Doesn't Need Paint

There's coffee cake and coffee ice cream, and now coffee art. News On 6 reporter Rick Wells stopped in Nordaggios for a latte and an art lesson. Many coffee shops have become galleries full of art

Thursday, November 29th 2007, 7:07 pm

By: News On 6

There's coffee cake and coffee ice cream, and now coffee art. News On 6 reporter Rick Wells stopped in Nordaggios for a latte and an art lesson. Many coffee shops have become galleries full of art by local artists, but the art hanging in Nordaggios is unique, it's painted in coffee.

"I liked the brown in the espresso, just loved it," said Karen Eland.

Eland thought maybe she could paint with it. She tried and it worked.

"This one's almost done. I'm just adding a few details and touches to it," said Eland.

When it's appropriate, she adds in a cup of coffee.

"It's like where's Waldo, you gotta find the little coffee cup," said Karen Eland.

The coffee works she says like water colors, start with the deep rich brown and dilute it with water, as you need to. She's had some fun with some old masterpieces, like The Last Supper, in coffee and with coffee. The Mona Lisa is the Mona Latte, Whistler's Mother has become Whistler's Mocha.

She's been drawing and painting since childhood, in coffee for the past nine years, with good success.

"Coffee lovers or coffee shops it's perfect for them," said Eland.

Elandâ€™s art is in coffee shops across the country. She's tried using tea but it doesn't work as well, in fact she says even all espressos are not the same when they dry they change color.

"I've found there are only a few that keep that golden tone that I like," said Eland.

To see more about Coffee Art click here.

Watch the video: Coffee Used For More Than Drinking