I am a bit intense about my love of coffee. Not only the drink itself (cream and Splenda for me) but also the ritual of drinking it, the culture of the coffee house and the way the act of drinking it brings people together ( a quick cup of coffee with a friend or a coffee “date” when you aren’t sure if the guy is “dinner worthy”). The first thing I do upon rising is make a cup of coffee. I actually get panicky if I’ve traveled somewhere, say if I am staying with friends who, come to find out, don’t drink coffee (which is beyond me), and it’s not readily available. I get a little twitchy wondering where I’m going to get my morning cup! I might add, it’s not the caffeine I like at all, in fact caffeine seems to have no effect on me. I could drink some coffee before bed and sleep like a log. It’s more about the comfort and consistency that a routine like coffee brings. There is simply something joyful about it for me.
That said, I’ve been scouring local gallery websites for a client of mine and came across these drawings by artist Susan Jane Belton at the Howard Yezerski Gallery. I think these would be ridiculously cool in a modern kitchen or casual dining area! And after pontificating on my love for the stuff, I think one of these needs to be in my possession someday! Actually, now that I think about it, these drawings could have been inspired by my car- in which there is a thick layer of various empty coffee cups in every nook and cranny that look suspiciously like these layered drawings. Did I never mention that I’m a bit of a slob? :)
These drawings are studies for her coffee cup portraits, seen below. Most of them are local Boston cafes and I think that for someone who frequents one particular cafe (or used to and has moved elsewhere) one of these on a small wall would be such a lovely reminder of a little part of their day they enjoy(ed).
You said it, sister! I’m the same way…it’s more the ritual (and the taste!), than the actual caffeine. I love luxuriating over a cup of coffee and a good fashion mag on weekend mornings. I had to laugh at your “slob” confession because it sort of appears that a homeless person might be squatting in my car when I’m not around.
Hells bells – those are fan-frigging-tastic. I was never a coffee drinker until the triplets came along, and then suddenly, magically, overnight it seems I because coffee’s Number One Fan (go figure). Love love love those – espesh the Greek coffee cup. Thanks for sharing!!
Merci,
Shannan
Amen to java! I would give up just about anything (except wine) before I gave up coffee, I love the flavor, the ritual and the caffeine!
Hi Erin – I completely agree. I became a coffee fan when I started working full time, and now it’s become a morning ritual. Whether going to the office or spending the morning relaxing at home, a delicious cup of coffee is the first thing on my mind when I wake up. Those drawings are great and your words on coffee are lovely. Fabulous Post!
Lovely B.
i totally love your description of what coffee drinking means to you, and i agree that the caffine has little to no effect on me either! i used to only drink coffee if it were with another person– it was that social aspect of it that i felt i was missing if i just drank it by myself! like, if no one saw me drinking the coffee or shared it with me, it didn’t count! how weird is that?
I totally savor the ceremony of drinking it! It’s amazing how my morning at the office drags if we’ve run out or I forget it at home.
I’m raising my mug in salute to E of S this morning!
these are super. love those illustrations & the dunkin donuts one is my fave!
So funny. Never posted a comment before, but the way you describe your love for coffee is totally me. I always order coffe, full caff whne we go out to dinner with no effect on my slumber! Love the art work and your whole blog. I’ve told so many people about your blog, and look forward to reading it everyday with my coffee! Thanks and keep up the fabulous work!
OHHHHH THESE are fabulous!!!!! I am intense about my coffee too… it’s completely insane that some people dont like it!! great find Erin I wish i could have this in my kitchen precisely.
What incredible pieces! Those are wonderful…I wish I had an endless budget for art.
Like you, it’s a ritual and began at 18. My first job, first early morning, I walked into the kitchen and mom says: “Would you like a cup of coffee?” Never had one BUT I felt so grown-up. And I’ve never quit. (and get VERY disappointed when staying in a home without coffee!!). If you haven’t already, get a “Toddy” cold brew coffee maker. I die! Love this post & pics. Cheers!
next time you’re in california, please do yourself a favor and get a cup of this http://tweetphoto.com/24060008
i grew up on the east coast and so i have my undying love for dunkin donuts coffee. and i went through high school knowing that it was better day if you walked in to first period with a big starbucks in your hand… but i was unaware of the better tasting brew waiting for me in southern california that would make me forget about every other cup i’ve had. i wish susan jane belton would do a portrait of a Coffee Bean cup. that one would definitely sit in my kitchen nook.
love this post, love coffee and love your blog! :)
Love these – how cute would they be in a kitchen or over a banquette breakfast nook!
Amen to coffee… gotta say I’m an espresso girl..Dopeo Please!
Great pics.
Great post, I can absolutely relate…it gets my day off to a good start. Reading your blog has become another daily ritual, too! Without a doubt, my favorite blog!
J.P. Licks! Heck yeah!!!
I left Boston in 2005 and that last image made me so happy! The last time I was in Boston for a conference, I skipped lunch to get a fro-yo at JP Licks on Newbury. I’m sure people thought I looked ridiculous chowing on a cone, wearing a suit and heels, and booking it back to Hynes Convention Center. Ha! What a great memory…thanks for taking me there again. :)
This is simply too cool!
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Love this post – speaking as a sister coffee addict. I’ll buy one of the paintings when she does one of Peet’s, my favorite coffee ever.