Art comes in many forms, varieties and subject matter. Occasionally, something coffee related makes its way into art. Maybe its a diner serving coffee like in Hopper’s Nighthawks, with its silver coffee urns that have the most detail of any object in the work. A subtle yet powerful dehumanizing effect in the work.

In the case of Ralph Goings, the focus of his photo-realist or hyper-realist art has on occasion coffee or coffee related items as its subject matter. As one of the founding members of the 1960’s photo-realist art group, Mr. Goings has continued to evolve and expand upon his already impressive abilities over the last forty years.

On Ralph Goings website he is quoted as saying the following about his work:

“My paintings are about light, about the way things look in their environment and especially about how things look painted. Form, color and space are at the whim of reality, their discovery and organization is the assignment of the realist painter.”

– Ralph Goings

I have always had a fond appreciation of photo-realist art. I’ve always considered my tendency toward it to be an indication of my inability to fully appreciate more abstract works. And that may very well be the case, what I do know is that I appreciate coffee, and when I run across something truly amazing that showcases it, I feel the need to share it with the rest of the coffee community.

If you enjoy these images, please do yourself a favor and visit Ralph Goings website, you will not be disappointed!

Cool art is something I think should be talked about, whether its something you see on the web or adorning the walls of your favorite coffee house – art is something that can spark a conversation, and idea or even a memory. When paired up with a great cup of coffee the experience takes on a whole other level of appreciation.

Its rare that I get to see any art that features coffee, so when I ran across this image I just had to find out who the artist was who painted it.

Surprisingly, it was easier to find the artist that I thought it would be thanks to our fine friends at Google. In no time I found myself on the web page of Oliver Ray, a Canadian painter and his wife Christie who sell their paintings direct through an online gallery.

I really enjoy his style, it has detail and depth while still looking like a painting. I am no art critic but I know what I like. Have a look at his site when you have a chance, I find myself enthralled by his work.

I came across this great self portrait by jon-e on flickr. It reminds me of how I feel when I get that first cup of coffee in the morning, and how much I look forward to it.

I imagine that that rush I get from my first cup of coffee is a lot like the rush that smokers have described getting from their first cigarette of the day.  The taste, the heat, and the caffeine infuse me and replenish what has been lost since my last cup.  Mondays in particular suddenly seem just a little easier to deal with.

So, I decided to write Jon and see if he would tell me a little more about the photo and what prompted its creation. Jon wrote:

“When I was working on the 365 days project, I was coming up with lots of ideas for self portraits. Coffee is near and dear to the heart, and I wanted to incorporate it into a self portrait theme. I also like word play. It didn’t take long for the title “Mug Shot” to come to mind, and the visual followed easily.”

I think Jon has captured what it means to be a coffee lover in this very creative, and very cool self-portrait. Have some time? Poor a cup of coffee and check out Jon’s flickr photostream.

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Part coffee table book, part kitchen aid, Hattie’s book explores the discovery of coffee and the rise of cafe society. Along the way she touches on everything from different types of coffee beans, tips of buying, storing and grinding.

Add in the amazing photography of Debi Treload and this 6×6 book makes the leap from coffee prep to coffee book. I personally really like having this on my coffee table, it has sparked numerous conversations about coffee that usually lead to making coffee, or drinking even more coffee which is never a bad thing!

Ordinarily the thought of spilling, much less wearing my coffee is enough to make me eye with suspicion every plastic cup lid that adorns my coffee.

Like many, I have had my share of spilled coffee encounters. They haven’t been fun, and most of them have occurred in my car due to my inability to wait for the car to stop move before I try to drink it.

What then can add some style to my clothes instead of just a nice sepia tones coffee stain?

Why not add a coffee themed lapel pin from LapelPinPlanet.com? These unique lapel pins can add some flair to your clothes and quite possibly draw the attention away from those unsightly coffee stain badges of the diehard coffee drinker.

This has to be one of the most interesting pieces of coffee inspired art we have ever seen!

I thought I might show you some Coffee Art I recently bought from the Home Interiors Better Homes & Gardens Collection.

For a long time we struggled with what kind of art to get for our kitchen. When we saw this trio of coffee themed pictures we knew we just had to have them.

While not readily evident from my rank amateur photo attempt, these pictures are actually a canvas bound with push pins similar to those you might see on a leather chair, and mounted on top of the black wood backboard.

People Interested in a better view of the pictures can click below:

• Millar’s Celebrated Curacoa Coffee
• Pecan Valley Brand Coffee
• Marvel Brand Coffee

Shannon’s illustrations are like fine espresso, there is nothing bland about here style and variation of content.

I find the adventures of her “Coffee Man” character quite amusing. Her site is flush with content, all of which she makes available for Free. Her “Tip Jar” has this say…

Sometimes you’re broke. Sometimes you’re flush. We understand. We like giving away the comics for free, all we ask is, if you’ve got an extra buck or two, toss it our way.

That way we can pay for these electrons and not have a ‘hit the frog and win an ipod’ ad up on the site. Think of this as a tip jar at the coffee shop and toss in a buck every now and again. Thanks. Shannon Wheeler, cartoonist.

I like that attitude, and given the amount of quality content she has on her site, its amazing that she provides it for Fre. I for one found myself laughing at her Illustration # 034 – Coffee House.

Sure it cut a bit close to the bone as I looked at the various coffee items strewn in my kitchen, but that made it all the funnier. I highly encourage you to visit Too Much Coffee Man when you have the time. Its well worth the visit.