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!

This was part of the Beer Art show on display during August, and here are some paintings I created using their Working Girl Porter and Cavatica Stout as my paint.  If you’re near Astoria on a weekend, stop by the Fort George for some tasty food, beverages, and art!

The Lager Loggers

Bieres de la George, scenes of Astoria and the Brewery inset

Beer Nouveau

Fort George Logo

]]> http://coffee-art.com/beer-art-goes-local-in-astoria/feed/ 0 http://coffee-art.com/coming-to-astoria/ http://coffee-art.com/coming-to-astoria/#comments Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:20:02 +0000 karen http://coffee-art.com/?p=742 If you will be visiting Astoria, Oregon the next few months, come visit me at one of the Sunday Markets!  I’ll have a Coffee Art booth featuring my usual work, as well as the newest paintings of Astoria town themes.  I’ll also be participating in the Cruise ship markets on May 4-5, 19-2o, and later in September.

What’s the draw to Astoria?  It’s the 200th anniversary of the oldest permanent U.S. settlement west of the Mississippi, and lots of festivities are planned to celebrate it, including Tall Ships sailing.  I love the hilly fishing town at the mouth of the huge Columbia river.  It’s got lots of historical and seaside charm, and beautiful scenery surrounds.  Come see for yourself!

Dudley's Bookstore

Last week I went to Seattle to hang coffee art in Irwin’s Bakery and Cafe and The Green Room. Irwin’s is a charming shop on 40th St. in the Wallingford area, with delicious homemade food as well as coffee. Stop in if you’re in Seattle; the show will be up through the end of March.

Irwin's Coffeehouse

The Green Room is a green coffee bean storage facility. Almost all the coffee in the Northwest goes through this warehouse on its way to local shops and roasters. You can see some of the bean bags through the office windows.

The Green Room

My booth, and in the 2nd floor of the building behind, my new studio!

Bend, Oregon’s largest outdoor event took place recently.  Thousands of people were strolling around enjoying all the art, music, and food.  We had an exciting early conclusion though- the event staff came running telling us all “75mph wind and hail is headed our way! Pack up now!”.

I’m often asked how durable coffee art is- my first piece did survive being sat on in my car by several frantic friends as we fled a tornado in Oklahoma… but I wasn’t anxious to repeat that test.   All the artists freaked out and managed to close down in record time as the wind picked up and the first drops of rain hit.  But the storm was just teasing us- nothing more happened and the sun came out, though it was too late to reopen.  Oh well, it had been a great show up to that point, and now I’ve had another exciting artist’s life experience.

And for another bit of excitement, I’m happy to announce I’ll have a new studio, right in downtown Bend.  There is a thriving art scene here in Bend, with a popular First Friday art walk that this spot will be perfect for.  More details to come soon.

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.