Dubai is a city of skyscrapers, impossible but real islands shaped like palm trees, indoor ski resorts, deserts, horse and camel races, excellent food and more giant malls than any place needs. Here are some highlights:

Dubai is new to the specialty coffee world, having mostly chains that any European or North American is familiar with. For my first coffee in Dubai, I wasn’t expecting much as I ordered a ‘flat white’ (perhaps what an Oregonian would call a ‘traditional cappuccino’) at the huge chain Costa Coffee, but was impressed by the great latte art!  Sipping it in the world’s largest mall, viewing the indoor ski slope, hearing the Muslim call to prayer over the loudspeaker, was a perfect way to start the trip. A different mall is extravagantly decorated in themes of Persia, China, and more.  Ever seen a Starbucks in a more glorious setting?

I chose my own subject for the coffee painting prize, and yet it turned out to be champion Matt Toogood’s favorite espresso machine!  The 2nd and 3rd place winners received paintings of latte art.

Here’s my booth:

The generous event organizers provided a delicious buffet every night at the 5star Meydan hotel, overlooking the racetrack where the world’s richest horse race is held.  Somehow I missed getting a photo of the 30+ choices of Indian and Middle Eastern foods.
A trip to Dubai is not complete without some crazy experiences.  On the same day, I got to swim in the warm, wavy, extra-salty Persian Gulf, then go snowboarding, and yes, it’s REAL snow.  I’m from a ski town in Oregon, but I must admit this little mountain wasn’t bad!  You never have to worry about poor conditions or sleet in your face. Maybe boredom with only 2 runs though.  I don’t know anywhere else on earth that you can be swimming in warm lovely ocean water and less than one hour later be skiing, but it’s a nice combination.

spice market

Here are some more pics for you:

water taxis- a cheap cruise!

beautiful tile

metro (subway) stations are cool

gold market

I stayed in the blue tower

The kindness and hospitality of everyone I met gave my whole trip a warm glow.  If you ever get the chance, visit Dubai!

Vintage Beer Poster

Beer Nouveau

San Diego Beer Fair, here I come!  On September 24th, I’ll be painting live on behalf of Arts ‘n Drafts, ” an inspiration lounge ‘n libation studio where artists ‘n their adoring  public come for conversation, cult beverages, kinesthetic art, charity ‘n tasty morsels….ultimately to raise funds earmarked for programs that provide a direct and instantaneous impact on the lives of those they serve.   Our charities of choice support the lives of patients and their families suffering from Alzheimer’s, Cancer and Cystic Fibrosis; as well as members of the Military and At Risk Youth.”  The painting I create during the fair will be auctioned to support their charity work.  If you’re in San Diego, come out to the Fair and visit me!

Please email me at coffeepainter@gmail.com if you would like to commission something.  It’s not too early to plan for the holidays!

This store will be in McAlester, OK.  The founder of the town, J.J. McAlester, is one of the characters in True Grit, interestingly.  Now the town is where the state prison is, and they have a prison rodeo!  So one picture shows that, and we’ll have a train scene, and J.J.’s old storefront.  Yeehaw!

And here’s my family crest:

And here’s a little video of the work in progress:

I had drawn the gorilla using a bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk and then painted him in with sauce.  Definitely a project in which I sampled the paint throughout!

This one is called “Ophelia’s Coffee Break”.  The original is by Waterhouse, the same artist who I’ve paid homage to with my “Lady of Chocolat”.

And this one, “Rx Espresso”, was commissioned by the new shop of that name, near a hospital in Juneau, Alaska.  Perhaps I’m starting a medical series- a few years ago, I was commissioned to paint the famous nurse Florence Nightingale.

And the third painting has to remain a secret for now.  I’ll let you in on it when I’m allowed to.

All of these and the ones in the previous post will be available as prints by Christmas time.  If you are interested in the originals, please contact me.

Scenes from Cafe Femenino

I had the privilege of creating a work for auction for the Cafe Femenino Foundation, being inspired by the Millrock Latte Art contest going on at the same time.   Coffee Fest graciously gave me space on the skybridge of the convention center where I was able to watch the contest, paint, and display other coffee paintings.

My hometown Tulsa friend Isaiah Sheese from Doubleshot Coffee was competing in the latte art contest; I thought he did great and it was fun to see him in his first competition.  Have any of you ever tried pouring latte art?

Isaiah

It’s VERY difficult!  When I was being trained, everyone thought I’d pick it up right away since I was an artist, but not so- it took me at least a month to pour a basic rosetta.  Kind of humbling, and I definitely salute the baristi who are so skilled in this art form.

Cafe Femenino “is a social program for women coffee producers in rural communities around the world. More than 1,500 women in Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru are active in the project to achieve empowerment, build social and support networks, and earn incomes through the production and sale of the Café Femenino Coffee.”

another competitor deciding his best latte

I got to hear beautiful stories of how entire families’ lives have been changed through their involvement as I looked through pictures with Gay Smith, the organization’s founder.  Later, my painting was sold to help out  at their fundraiser event in Portland.