Coffee Talk

Writings by Edward Patrick Kranz (Ezju) about fine art created with coffee. You will find detailed information on Ezju’s works created at No Such Animal Studios and information about other artists who use coffee as a medium.

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Location: Seattle, Washington, United States

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Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Coffee Artist Ezju of Seattle The Ph'Kaki Interview

Edward Patrick Kranz better known as Ezju to the world paints scenes of coffee culture as seen through an American's eyes in his home city of Seattle, the new self-proclaimed coffee capital of the world. With works such as Late Night Drip (2005), at the Café (2003), and The Morning News (2004) Ezju captures the over-developed luxury that students, tourists, and business people alike have become accustomed to. In the near future Ezju plans to travel to coffee producing countries like Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Columbia to paint coffee plantation owners and fair trade growers. It will be an interesting study of how coffee has affected their culture in contrast to his existing works from America.

Warm Up Questions!

Ph’Kaki: Tell us about yourself

Ezju: I could tell you some basic history such as I was born in 1968 at Hamet Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania on March 23rd but what fun would that be? Something closer to I collect ugly disfigured dolls and have a serious issue with nose hairs might be a little more enlightening!

When I was growing up two of my best friends were raccoons and I build a full scale bridge of the U.S.S Enterprise in the wooded area across the street from my grandparent's house. All materials for the ship came from a dumpster behind a local electronics store.

The wooded area also served as a Broadway music hall for my cousins and I. Unfortunately only two people showed up, Mr. & Mrs. Moser. They were apparently the only two people we sold tickets to that understood the address written by the 12 year olds! Address: Across the street from grandmother's house"

As far as I know I'm one of the few people who can honestly say they have robbed a moving train! No kidding! If you want details on this one you need to get to know me better and ask over some serious mojitos.I love my wife and both our children more than words can describe. I love our cat not quite as much but enough.

Ph’Kaki: Where were you born, raised and live now?Ezju: As mentioned above I was born in Erie, Pennsylvania right on Lake Erie. I was raised in Erie and spent a great deal of time on Presque Isle (7 mile peninsula in Lake Erie) and Jamestown, New York with my Aunt, Uncle and Cousins.Today I call Seattle my home as it's been for the past decade or more now.

Ph’Kaki: How would you describe your childhood?

Ezju: Umm? I started to a bit in the first question. . .

I spent a lot of time alone exploring the wooded area across the street from my Grandparents home where we lived off and on. I had a daily routine where I would tromp my through the trees looking for good sword sticks and then I would attack all the menacing trees in my path until the stick broke. Some times a dieing tree would fall under my young sword and crash to the ground in a mighty . . . well . . . crash!

Emerging out the other end of the woods I would visit Chico the horse that lived in a small coral in Mr. Hess's yard. Some times Chico would even let me touch him if I had something yummy for him to chomp. Mr. Hess would allow me to help feed Chico when it was time to untie a new bail of hay. It was the bailing twine I was interested in!

Back off to the woods with my bailing twine I could now make a bow and scour the woods for the perfect arrow sticks. Some sticks would just get twine tied to it making it a whip incase I ran into any great buffalo in the little wooded area.

Getting the idea?

Ph’Kaki: How would you describe your life now?

Ezju: I've traded the woods for the city. I've traded the horse for motorcycles (as soon as I get a new one). I've traded raccoons for my family. The rest is about the same if you follow at all.

Ph’Kaki: Tell us about your art training

Ezju: After traveling all around the world to learn from Tibetan monks, Italian and Spanish masters, Japanese print makers, the Pope and some mystical guy in Dubuque, Iowa I decided to be self-taught. I am trained as a computer animator and designer from the Art Institute of Seattle but they didn't teach art there ironically enough. Self-taught it is. Books. Friends. Time. I'm still in training and expect to be so for all my life.

Ph’Kaki: How would you describe your artistic style? Your artistic philosophy?

Ezju: Surrealism & realism. I've never been fond of or drawn to the abstract until recently. Most of my paintings are figurative or portraiture but some of last year's paintings were experimentation with coffee and en caustic. Imperfection is perfection would be my philosophy.

Ph’Kaki: Which artist inspired you most? Which art movement?

Ezju: The artist who inspired me most was a Mexican artist, Carlos, who I worked with at the Seattle Asian Art Museum while I was in school. Not many would know him or his work outside of Mexico City but his attitude and philosophy that things did not need to be perfect to be perfect helped me come out of my artistic shell. Thank you Carlos.

Ph’Kaki: Where do you feel an artist's place is in society?

Ezju: There are many types of artists and as many places in society. Some are content to produce "pretty" art for the sake of an easy market or maybe they just like pretty. Some artists feel they need to be on the bloody edge of controversy pointing out white elephants in culture. The gamut in-between is fairly limitless and they all have a place in society. They are all important.

Ph’Kaki: If money and availability were not an issue, what one painting would be hanging in your home?

Ezju: I would love to frame and display any drawing that my mother did when she was still an artist. Some where along the way she lost the desire to draw and paint. I want to look at her portraits with unfinished noses to remind myself not to give up learning and growing. I would equally love if she found that drive again in art and life.

If you weren't looking for something so sappy I guess I wouldn't mind The Denial of St. Peter by Caravaggio or anything by contemporary Spanish impressionist Jose Royo.

Ph’Kaki: When painting, do you listen to music or is it quiet? If music what kind/artist?

Ezju: Yes. Sometimes loudly other times not so much. The artist and type of music really depends on the mood as does the volume. It also depends on the style I'm painting in. I'm very into Country though it isn't uncommon to hear Classical, Rap, or Punk emulating from my studio.

Ph’Kaki: If given the opportunity, who in the world would you want to sit for a portrait by you? What medium and style would you use?Ezju: My wife would be the first. I would use oils and work in Jose Royo's style if I could master it.

Ph’Kaki: Who is your favorite contemporary artist? Why?

Ezju: José Royo became my favorite contemporary a few years back when I was working for a permanent interior landscape company. We were doing an installation and maintenance call in a home near Seattle and the owner had several Royo originals and prints throughout the house. I fell in love with his seductive style immediately.

The kicker is up 'till this point I have not been a fan of impressionism. My personal aesthetic leans more towards realism and humanism.

Ph’Kaki: Who is your favorite historical artist? Why?

Ezju: Michelangelo comes to mind because he was what I consider the quintessential artist. His work in many mediums was beautiful but he was also an intellectual.

Ph’Kaki: What is your most remarkable personality quark?

Ezju: I am a starter. I have great ideas and get very excited at the prospect of a new project. The down side of that is I get board once the project is underway and I start to look for new projects to start. I have a whole life of unfinished works in many senses of the word that I wish I could finish. I'm getting better at that though!

Ph’Kaki: What interest or hobbies do you have other than fine art?Currently I am restoring a 1973 VW Super Beetle. I've lost count of how many VW Bugs I've owned over the years but the 1973 is the same year as the first one I owned in high school. Ah, memories!Motorcycles hold a special draw if I could just afford a new one! As you probably don't know my last motorcycle burned down the house I was living in some years back now.

Dogs. Love dogs. I may just be one myself if left to my own design.Reading is good.

I usually go in spurts where I'll read quite a few books and then not again for a year or so and then quite a few again. Strange cycle I know.

Ph’Kaki: How do you take your coffee or tea?

Ezju: I like my coffee with cream and sugar or with vanilla soy milk and no sugar. Coffee is a treat as Mocha but that puts way too many inches on the belly to have too often. Tea is usually a black tea with honey and milk or spiced chai.

Ph’Kaki: If a coffee roaster named a blend after you what would it be called? Would it be a light, medium or dark roast?

Ezju: If a coffee roaster was so inclined to name a blend after me it would be called . . . Ezju . . . and most likely be medium to dark roast with a non-acidic body.

All Warmed Up!

Ph’Kaki: The obvious question: why coffee?

Ezju: Back in 2002 I was sitting with a friend in a little café called Marista's just south of Seattle in Federal Way. Our conversation that day centered on what art was and who could do "art". Examples of what we thought art was or was not came up and one of them was Jackson Pollok and his famous technique. My friend who exclaimed that he couldn't even draw a stick figure held up his napkin at this point and said "look! I'm a modern artist!" This sparked a joke where I framed a coffee ring stained paper and placed it in his work area. As a joke the seed was planted.

Some months later I was sitting in the same café thinking of ways to tell my wife, then fiancé, that I lost my job and that I wanted to peruse art as a career. There was a barista at the drive through window with light streaming in all around here like an messiah handing out her caffeinated gospel to all who drove threw. I started to sketch on a napkin with my coffee. The joke that was planted some moths ago started to grow.

In the beginning I had no idea that I would do more than a few novel paintings with my newly discovered mediums. After the first few were done and I showed them to friends, family and a few gallery owners. The response was positive. The more people I talked to the more I realized that not only was coffee a huge part of American culture but being the 2nd largest legal commodity in the world coffee was a very large part of world culture. The more I learned about the history, different countries, and peoples that are involved in global coffee culture the more I wanted to peruse my Coffee Culture series painted with coffee.

Ph’Kaki: Describe your coffee "paint" making process.

Ezju: I knew coffee would stain and would be quite permanent. I have enough white business shirts embarrassed just before important meetings to know its resilience. What I found with my first coffee sketch was the tonal range was limited even with glazing.

Being the curious lad that I am the experiments to create a coffee medium was on. I tried several recipes from adding coffee to acrylic medium to brewing coffee in linseed oil and met some limited achievement. Then I remembered a old school exercise where the students would boil down salt water to find concentrated salt left on the bottom of the pan so I tried condensing large amounts of coffee.

Ph’Kaki: What is your coffee painting technique?

Ezju: I have a couple. The first is applying the coffee paint much like a watercolor depending on full saturation for the darks and thinning the paint out with water for the lighter tonal values. Some times I add a bit of pigment for more colorful image.

The second technique is layering coffee paint, applied by brush or hand, between en caustic (wax medium) applications and building up layers.

Ph’Kaki: What do you find most unique about coffee as an artistic medium?

Ezju: Using food products as an artistic medium has been done periodically throughout history. Some artists use food as a sensory stimulant to produce their art and use food products as well.Most people don't know that if you mix salmon eggs and goose feces you'll get a rich red pigment or if you take horse urine and put it on copper the chemical reaction produces a wonderful blue pigment.

What does this all have to do with coffee being unique? Coffee is a global commodity and social icon that most cultures can relate to on some level. It's a social equalizer of sorts. It's not something one expects to see on a canvas but it does very well there to produce images as well as open minds to a different way of thinking.

Ph’Kaki: Have you ever drank or tasted your coffee paint? Describe it!

Ezju: Yes. Early batches of coffee paint where horrible. I was burring my paint much the way Starbucks burns their coffee beans they serve. More recent batches have had a very rich almost chocolate pallet to them. One dipped pinkie is like a quad espresso!

Ph’Kaki: Have you ever had or made others taste your coffee paint? Describe their reaction!

Ezju: I'm a bit of a sadist sometimes so of course I temp folks to taste my coffee paint! The reaction is akin to someone biting into a lemon. Wrinkled up faces galor.

Ph’Kaki: How do you think history books will look back on Arfé, coffee art, coffee painting, and coffee artists?

Ezju: I want history to spell my name right and not celebrate my birth day on a different day than I was born because it more convenient.

I'm not sure about my actual contribution at this point. As far as my fine art career I'm still very young and not yet a master. In time I would like to be a master of my art and pass that along to my children. I'm not sure how the history books will record that but that's what I want.

Ph’Kaki: How do you want history to remember you and your contribution to the art world?

Ezju: History is a funny thing. It will all come down to how popular the coffee painting movement will become and if one or more of the artists involved can become popular enough to warrant more than a foot note. I don't expect much more than a foot note but a few paragraphs would be nice. Maybe a chapter?

Ph’Kaki: How do you want history to remember Arfé, coffee art, coffee painting, and coffee artists?

Ezju: Most artists and art movements are a result of the world they live in. The use of coffee as an artistic medium definitely is a product of the times. The actual use as well as the subject matter is of cultural significance. This applies to artists and art in the United States and it's heavy commercialization and marketing of a leisurely lifestyle outlined by $4 cups of coffee as well as tradition steeped cultures in the east depicting a completely different lifestyle and society.

I want the history books to look at coffee artists and their art in the same light as they do the impressionists and how they were a product of their times.

Ph’Kaki: What significance does coffee play in your culture? Your life?

Ezju: This is a culture that will complain about $2.50 per gallon of gas but pay on average $3.50 for a 16oz mocha. That comes out to roughly $28.00 a gallon for coffee. I think that illustrates the significance coffee plays in my culture.

My life. I drink it for pleasure. I drink it for stimulus when I'm working late. I drink it because I'm board. I paint with it. I get a sense of accomplishment from my coffee paintings and sometimes recognition and money. Coffee has even made me some friends all over the world. I'd say coffee has a significant place in my life.

Ph’Kaki: What cultural influences do you feel most impacted and/or are most reflected in your work?

Ezju: Most of my work is observation. I look at people and situations. Most of my life has been exposed to my culture with limited access to others. My education and work experience has been in design and branding so in addition to being a consumer I am very caught up in the whole corporate America culture. This has had a significant influence on my work, choice of subject matter, and medium.

Ph’Kaki: Do you think the recent proliferation of coffee artists around the world is Zeist Geist?

Ezju: Without a doubt and it's about time!

Ph’Kaki: Some people think Arfé or coffee art/painting is just a novelty or quick passing fad. Do you believe this? Where do you see this movement going in the near and distant future?

Ezju: Since I started these interviews with the initial dozen or so artists I've found around the word at least 3 more have emerged. They found me some how. I'm starting to believe that this movement will continue to grow and will not be considered a novelty or fad.

In the near future I would love to do a show here in Seattle with as many of the coffee artists from around the world represented and in attendance. I think that would be something.

Ph'Kaki: Has commercial advertising, marketing and design had an impact on your art, subject matter and/or decision to use coffee as an artistic medium?

Ezju: As mentioned earlier I work in the design industry directly dealing with marketing and advertising. I also am a partner in an online entertainment magazine dedicated to promoting independent artists around the world.I can't see how living in consumer driven America and being involved in the design industry can not have had a significant impact on my art.

Ph’Kaki: How do patrons and art admirers describe your work?

Ezju: Most are in disbelief that it is coffee. Once denial has passed they are fascinated that the level of detail that can be reached and questions ensue. Words like unique, clever, and fun are often used to describe my work.

Ph’Kaki: How do critics describe your work?

Ezju: Honestly I have not had much in the way of critical review. In one sense I am relived. Art critics can be brutal and being untrained I'm afraid of what they may say. On the other hand I would love to know how I stack up.

Ph’Kaki: How as the media received you and your work?

Ezju: Over the past few years I have had TV news features, live interviews, newspaper articles and even feature on the cover a magazine. I've been very flattered and received better than I deserve.In the future I would like for the media to focus less on the novelty of coffee as an artistic medium an report more on the cultural and social messages and implications.

Ph’Kaki: What level of satisfaction and success have you had on a personal, social, spiritual, and commercial level with your art?

Ezju: I am very happy with the success of my work. Largely I paint for self enjoyment though I do feel a sense of pride when a friend or family member likes a piece or asks if I could paint something for them.Being recognized by the media or patrons is a whole different level of satisfaction. I'm still learning how to come to terms with this.

Ph’Kaki: What is your life dream in regards to your art? Have you fulfilled it? If not how do you plan to reach it?

Ezju: I would love to successful enough to work on my art full time and not have to worry about my family's financial well being. I would be able to produce more work at a higher quality both in workmanship and concept if the burden of working for a living were lifted.

Ph’Kaki: During interviews a local radio personality, Ichabod Caine on KMPS, ends his interviews with the question I leave you with. What is your very first child hood memory?

Ezju: My first childhood memory is around 2 years old and playing in the backyard in a flexible tunnel tube.Ichabad Cain on KMPS asks this question and then finds some correlation between what the musical artist is currently doing and the memory. I don't know what the relationship is here. If anyone can see it please e-mail me and let me know!

Visit Ezju's Web site: No Such Animal Studios »

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Coffee Artist Amita Chudasama of India Interview with Ezju



Warm Up Questions!



Tell us about yourself



Since childhood, I was associated with an art. Other than creating painting; fashion
designing is another interesting area.



Where were you born, raised and live now?



I was born & raised in Mahuva – a town of Gujarat, India. As of now I live with
my family in another city of Gujarat – "Bhavnagar".



How would you describe your childhood?



Need and struggle are what excite and inspire us. I have always tried to give priority
to my art. Being an elder sister & to perform my duties, I had to theft my own moment
from this artist life. (Editor's Note: Meaning she had to "steal" time from her
art for family duties. JP) Probably now it is time to perform my role as an artist.



Coffee has completely changed our art style accidentally. Working with clay painting
has been also a nice experience.



How would you describe your life now?



I have always tried to see art as my profession. After completion of my degree in
Business Management I had two questions to answer myself – What & Why? I was eager
to make a career in advertisement. But our interest in promoting coffee & clay as
a medium of painting become our primary goal. Today when I meet someone, I feel
proud in interchanging my visiting card where it says “Mira Chudasama – Coffee Artist”.



Tell us about your art training



I had never undergone special art training earlier. "Rangoli" which is painted in
front of houses with floral & color was my first art that I learned from my grandmother
& mother. My grandfather has always appreciated my skills as an artist. That kept
my art alive. Probably my trial after creating colorful design & natural subjects
from anything that has color helped us in meeting art of coffee painting.



Before I joined fine arts of college; art has completely resided in my heart but
I needed to learn techniques & practices of an art. I learned multiple art styles
during my three years training in city based Fine Arts College.



How would you describe your artistic style? Your artistic philosophy?



Oh!! It’s certainly difficult & important question. Love your subject, expression
& interest and never limit yourself is only my artistic style.



Let it be any medium or moment; art is always an Aspiration to creation, Requisition
to carve history & Temptation to bring alive everything.



Which artist inspired you most? Which art movement?


title="Ajanta - Ellora’s carvings" />


I like Ajanta - Ellora’s carvings most. They were built between 7th and 13th Century.



Where do you feel an artist's place is in society?



Without an art; everything is monotony in this world. Thus artist has great responsibility
to make this world colorful & lively.



If money and availability were not an issue, what one painting would be hanging
in your home?



Not sure for a painting but I wish if I can live near by "Taj Mahal" where I can
see its beauty anytime.



When painting, do you listen to music or is it quiet? If music what kind/artist?



Yes. I love Gazals.



If given the opportunity, who in the world would you want to sit for a portrait
by you? What medium and style would you use?



My grandmother!! For sure, I would catch her expression & love towards me with
clay & coffee.



Who is your favorite historical artist? Why?



Picaaso and Turner.



What interest or hobbies do you have other than fine art?



Music (Gazals by Hariharan), Traveling & Cooking



How do you take your coffee or tea?



Tea with elichi & ginger!!



If a coffee roaster named a blend after you what would it be called? Would it be
a light, medium or dark roast?



Not sure.



All Warmed Up!



The obvious question: why coffee?



This is not the first time we (My sister & I) are using painting with very different
pigment or medium. We have simply used clay too. Yet we need to use oil color to
give brunt umber touches to our clay paintings. We have always been near to nature
and loved liveliness. To achieve liveliness & natural shades of historical mosque
carvings, we did many trials. Nothing happened accidentally. We tried a lot with
tea or clay. But coffee worked better.



Describe your coffee "paint" making process.



Mostly we use coffee with water. Sometime to achieve darkness; we boil it as well.



What is your coffee painting technique?



Coffee-painting technique requests not to place a canvas in standing position to
avoid the spreading of shades. Blend water with coffee in different extent to create
variety of shades of brown. This will enhance layer development in the painting.
Process of repeatedly applying the brush with added coffee paint will help the middle
portion emerge bit darker to differentiate it from light tone on outlines. The technique
is to use coffee powder mixed with water and depending on the density of the solution,
the shades also change. White space in the canvas adds to the contrast.



What do you find most unique about coffee as an artistic medium?



Shine and a pleasant aroma!!



Have you ever drank or tasted your coffee paint? Describe it!



Never done yet!! But yes I had drunk coffee while painting many times.



Have you ever had or made others taste your coffee paint? Describe their reaction!



Definitely others try to smell them. Yes, they get assured after smelling coffee’s
aroma in painting.



How do you think history books will look back on Arfé, coffee art, coffee painting,
and coffee artists?



No doubt where there are numerous coffee lovers around; coffee paintings would be
admired most.



How do you want history to remember you and your contribution to the art world?



If my grandpa would have not appreciated my early steps towards art; my sister or
I would have never been able to contribute so far. Being an elder sister; I had
lot of responsibilities. However my mother & siblings never let me put my art away.
It took me to 28 - 30 years to get my name printed as an artist in newspaper or
say a chance to display my art first time.



Today I believe that if you need to struggle to survive your art then do it. God
hasn’t gifted this art to everyone.



How do you want history to remember Arfé, coffee art, coffee painting, and coffee
artists?



If someone likes / buys coffee painting only because of it is made of coffee (oh!
That’s what we drink daily) it would be a great misunderstanding. Coffee is another
distinct medium with its amazing shining & great aroma to art. What if you color
a sculpture made of stone; probably it loses it's natural beauty. Irrespective coffee
painting is made of single shade; it breathes natural beauty of coffee.



What significance does coffee play in your culture? Your life?



Since I started painting with coffee; coffee has achieved precedence in my life.
Whenever I am so named as a coffee artist, I thank coffee a lot for being so distinct.



What cultural influences do you feel most impacted and/or are most reflected in
your work?



Every culture is distinct. I respect each one of them. However villages have most
impacted in my paintings.



Before I contacted you, how aware of other artists who use coffee as an artistic
medium?



Honestly I keep myself away from news & reading. But I come to know about you &
other artists from Mira.



Some people think Arfé or coffee art/painting is just a novelty or quick passing
fad. Do you believe this? Where do you see this movement going in the near and distant
future?



I don’t believe so. With respect to distant future; we all know that time changes
everything so fast. If I visit any national art exhibition today I will find most
of selected entries are of modern art where thoughts have taken place then realistic
art.



With respect to coffee, most visitors in display kept asking me about life of coffee
painting. How to preserve them is first & foremost question?



But everyone is aware of its ingredient & admires it. I have found them expressing
wonderful usage of coffee.



I believe that anything survives only if it has followers. Irrespective painting
with coffee is not easy & we have few in our team as of now; we will see number
of great coffee painting artists in future.



Has commercial advertising, marketing and design had an impact on your art, subject
matter and/or decision to use coffee as an artistic medium?



(Can you please elaborate? Do you mean if any coffee house / companies did help
us or if we advertised coffee paintings?)



How do patrons and art admirers describe your work?



I love listening ‘That’s Wonderful / That’s Amazing” from them.



How do critics describe your work?



Everyone likes this idea. But most of them carry doubt of its preservation.



How as the media received you and your work?



I am personally thankful to CNBC Awaz taking initiative to broadcast our coffee
paintings in news. During display at state art gallery, other leading media and
newspapers contacted us & published.



What level of satisfaction and success have you had on a personal, social, spiritual,
and commercial level with your art?



As I said earlier, art is my life. Earlier I didn’t make my art as profession, now
we are thinking of it.



What is your life dream in regards to your art? Have you fulfilled it? If not how
do you plan to reach it?



Oh!! Great applause in praise of my art and at least one national award for art!!



During interviews a local radio personality, Ichabod Caine on KMPS, ends his interviews
with the question I leave you with. What is your very first child hood memory?



That’s wonderful question. Daily visiting market & buying ice-candy with my grandfather
is my one of the unforgotten childhood memories. I had always been special for him.

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Coffee Artist Mira Chudasama of India Interview with Ezju


Warm Up Questions!


Tell us about yourself


By profession; I am an artist & designer. Other than paintings;
I love designing web sites, logos, branding, advertisements and animation.


Where were you born, raised and live now?


I was born in India at a small but very cultural and arty town
of Gujarat - “Mahuva”. However my days of childhood and education were
spent in street of another city - “Bhavnagar”. Currently I am practicing
my art at Hyderabad.


How would you describe your childhood?


Attending art competitions & returning successfully with almost
first and second prize are lively chapters of my childhood. Thanks to
my elder sister from whom I learned this wonderful art.


How would you describe your life now?


I have always tried to see art as my profession. After completion
of my degree in Business Management I had two questions to answer myself
– What & Why? I was eager to make a career in advertisement. But our interest
in promoting coffee & clay as a medium of painting became our primary
goal. Today when I meet someone, I feel proud in interchanging my visiting
card where it says “Mira Chudasama – Coffee Artist”.


coffee painting

Tell us about your art training


Honestly, I learned it from my elder sister whom I consider
a born artist. I did my further art study at city based college of art.


How would you describe your artistic style? Your artistic philosophy?


I never wished to bind myself in a single art style. Those
who visit my display always look for unique art style in my paintings.
Even god has not made this world with one art style.


Although I love to use single shade of coffee
in my paintings, I have not yet forgotten the magic of primary colors.


I love to do ‘Abstract Art’, ‘Knife Work’,
‘Glass Painting’, ‘Mosaic & Cubism’, ‘Portrait’, ‘Nature Studies’, ‘Wild
Life’, ‘Floral Art’, ‘Miniature’, ‘Landscapes’, ‘Folk Art’ and ‘Modern
Art’. I use various mediums or pigments to form art including Coffee,
Clay, Oil color, Water color, Egg, Oil Pastel, Ink, Acrylic color and
sand.


Which artist inspired you most? Which art movement?


Not sure about inspiration but I like Van Gogh & Turner’s paintings
and their art styles.


Where do you feel an artist's place is in society?


Artists are not only visionary but also excellent history writers.
Artists make present immortal. They weave culture and tradition in their
art.


However we are talking of bitter truth of
the society where most of artists are poor, unemployed and live in slums.
The society realizes their value only when they are standing at gates
of heaven or reborn at any other corner of this world.


If money and availability were not an issue, what one painting
would be hanging in your home?


Turner’s painting ‘Sun Rising Through Vapour’.


When painting, do you listen to music or is it quiet? If music
what kind/artist?


Oh! Yes – I love music. Nothing special but I love pleasant
songs.


coffee painting

If given the opportunity, who in the world would you want to
sit for a portrait by you? What medium and style would you use?


I portrait expressions rather than people. So I am not sure
about any personality of this world.


Who is your favorite historical artist? Why?


Van Gogh’s passion, brushstrokes, art styles & attachment to
art made me admirer of him. ‘Sunflowers’ & 'Starry Night' are my favorite
paintings.


What interest or hobbies do you have other than fine art?


Gardening, observation, Music & Traveling


How do you take your coffee or tea?


By habit, I take tea generally. Ginger tea is my special one.


If a coffee roaster named a blend after you what would it be
called? Would it be a light, medium or dark roast?


Hmmm. Not sure.


All Warmed Up!


coffee painting

The obvious question: why coffee?


This is not the first time we (My sister & I) are using painting
with very different pigment or medium. We have simply used clay too. Yet
we need to use oil color to give brunt umber touches to our clay paintings.
We have always been near to nature and loved liveliness. To achieve liveliness
& natural shades of historical mosque carvings, we did many trials. Nothing
happened accidentally. We tried a lot with tea or clay. But coffee worked
better.


Describe your coffee "paint" making process.


Mostly we use coffee with water. Sometime to achieve darkness;
we boil it as well.


What is your coffee painting technique?


Coffee-painting technique requests not to place a canvas in
standing position to avoid the spreading of shades. Blend water with coffee
in different extent to create variety of shades of brown. This will enhance
layer development in the painting. Process of repeatedly applying the
brush with added coffee paint will help the middle portion emerge bit
darker to differentiate it from light tone on outlines. The technique
is to use coffee powder mixed with water and depending on the density
of the solution, the shades also change. White space in the canvas adds
to the contrast.


What do you find most unique about coffee as an artistic medium?


Shine and a pleasant aroma!!


Have you ever drank or tasted your coffee paint? Describe
it!


Oh!! Never


Have you ever had or made others taste your coffee paint?
Describe their reaction!


Honestly I avoid seeing visitor touching or smelling my work.
Ultimately that is a painting not a coffee!!


How do you think history books will look back on Arfé, coffee
art, coffee painting, and coffee artists?


Sooner or later… every one of us will accept coffee as a new
medium. I respect Arfé and have confidence in coffee that it will make
it's space soon in the art world.


How do you want history to remember you and your contribution
to the art world?


Neither my sister nor I had ever faced media earlier. Our aim
to promote art of coffee painting gave us that power & confidence to do
so. When we tried with coffee somewhere in 1999 or 2000; we were part
of our small area. Later we made it town then city & now country. We have
learned that an artist’s life is not so easy. The only comfort & cheers
we receive is to paint with coffee.


coffee painting

In the future if history writes us; I would
love to see our names together as we have sipped our coffee together.


How do you want history to remember Arfé, coffee art, coffee
painting, and coffee artists?


IN COFFEE LETTERS!! Art of Coffee painting is really revolutionary.
Probably I have faced the question of it's life a number of times. I strongly
believe that everything needs concern and care. Everyone who loves coffee
will nurture coffee painting & coffee art. Art spirit of coffee artists
would make history to write about this ground-breaking art.


What significance does coffee play in your culture? Your life?


As of now I would say that coffee has changed my last five
to six years. In life; I would like to be known as coffee artist rather
then simply artist.


What cultural influences do you feel most impacted and/or
are most reflected in your work?


I admire & respect all different cultures. When my work includes
mosque carving, it also includes temple carving and coliseum. I love wild
life & nature as subjects. Yet culture of ‘Kutch” & “Saurashtra” are most
reflected in my work.


Before I contacted you, how aware of other artists who use
coffee as an artistic medium?


While hosting my art & painting site I got a touch of the internet.
At that time I read a few articles which were also talking about coffee
paintings. This was enough to know that coffee is proving itself everywhere.


Do you think the recent proliferation of coffee artists around
the world is Zeist Geist?


Yes.


Some people think Arfé or coffee art/painting is just a novelty
or quick passing fad. Do you believe this? Where do you see this movement
going in the near and distant future?


Coffee is everywhere. Everyone starts life with it. Hanging
coffee is novelty. But it will make its space. Those who visit my display
always ask me if I can teach them. This clearly shows their deep interests
in coffee art.


Has commercial advertising, marketing and design had an impact
on your art, subject matter and/or decision to use coffee as an artistic
medium?


(Can you please elaborate? Do you mean if any coffee house
/ companies did help us or if we advertised coffee paintings?)


How do patrons and art admirers describe your work?


They are surprised by seeing portraits which we have created
using coffee. How can one create such nice portraits with coffee?


How do critics describe your work?


They are worried about life of coffee painting. How long would
it exist without any damage?


coffee painting

How as the media received you and your work?


I am personally thankful to CNBC Awaz taking initiative to
broadcast our coffee paintings in news. During display at state art gallery,
other leading media and newspapers contacted us & published.


What level of satisfaction and success have you had on a personal,
social, spiritual, and commercial level with your art?


Other than commercially, I am very much satisfied.


What is your life dream in regards to your art? Have you fulfilled
it? If not how do you plan to reach it?


This is just a beginning. I wish if I can meet different cultures
& catch them on my canvas using coffee. I would say, Arfe 2007 would fulfill
lots of my dreams.


During interviews a local radio personality, Ichabod Caine
on KMPS, ends his interviews with the question I leave you with. What
is your very first child hood memory?


Most of the times, I recall those narrow streets, farms & hills
of my grandpa’s village. Daily evening we (My siblings, Grandfather &
I) would used to pass through village enjoying scenic beauty. None of
us can forget railway tracks crossing the farms.


Visit Amita's & Mira's Web site: Coffee Paintings »

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