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Behind the Scenes
Discover the truth behind my art, studio, and creative process.
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It's not all glamorous Instagram shots.
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Each painting you see is the result of many hours of hard work, including painting, marketing, photography, editing, and more.
But it's also a journey filled with creativity, fun, joy, and laughter.
Join me on my journey!
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* How detailed are my paintings?
This elephant painting is one of my two most detailed animal paintings. I painted each and every wrinkle on its skin (in several layers each). Here you can see my work in progress. See the final painting here
* Do I paint only at my home studio?
This Hippo coffee painting was created both at home and during San Diego ArtWalk (A fine art fair) last August, where I demonstrated live painting in my booth. See the final painting here
* Do I paint by looking at a photo?
I love to paint animals, but when I don't, I prefer painting by looking at the object in front of me than looking at a photo of it. Here's my chess coffee painting in progress. See the final painting here
* How does my photoshoot set look?
The next step after I finish a painting is to take photos of it with my DSLR Nikon D90 camera. I love to play with different props next to my painting, and I usually use my coffee tones backdrop.
* Do I edit my photos?
After taking lots of photos (usually around 30 for a single painting) I edit the most successful ones on LightRoom Classic by Adobe
* Where's the fun?
Me being goofy while taking selfies with my new painting of Shemar Moore. See the final painting here
* How do I create the backgrounds for my mug photos?
I made my own mockups for all my coffee mugs. Here is my set. I used my coffee backdrop for the background, my camera on a tripod with a remote control, and a really yummy cake (purchased at Ralph's) + a strawberry.
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The final result looks stunning (after editing). See this mug here
P.S. My 4 kids were waiting patiently for their mom to finish taking photos so they could finally eat this cake ๐คฃ.
* Should I start a mug collection?
I know I sell my own mugs with my coffee paintings on them, but I couldn't resist buying this cute sheep glass. I should definitely start a collection...
* How do I set up my booth?
As you know, I present my art at fine art fairs. My husband and 4 kids, help me every step of the way. They wake up early on weekends, help me load the truck, build the canopy, install the paintings, and set up the booth. My oldest daughters even help me sell my art. So it's actually a family business. I'm so grateful for them and for their love.
Here you can see my booth installation process at the Wine Country art fair last November.
* What I'm inspired by?
My paintings are inspired mainly by nature and animals. Here's my horse (for that ride at Mammoth mountains) Badger, which I later painted with coffee. You can read the whole story about him in its painting description here.
* Branding all the way
When I buy clothes these days and even shoes, I make sure they suit my coffee branding. I bought these shoes for long-standing at art fairs and couldn't decide which one to buy. The dark coffee or Latte ones...? Can you guess what I chose?
Come to the next Art Fair and see for yourself...๐ You can take a look at my upcoming events Here
* Painting every chance I get
Did you know I paint also with watercolors?
For every family camping trip, I take my sketchbook with me, along with my watercolors and some brushes. This is my last painting in the Anza Borrego Desert
* My favorite brush
This photo is two years old, when I started painting a lot! using watercolors and coffee (on the wall behind me)
* Every day is Laundry Day!
'It's Laundry Day' is one of my favorite coffee paintings. This bat painting was much more complicated than I anticipated and took me several days to finish. Just like folding a laundry mountain ๐
* I want to thank YOU!
This January 2023 my Etsy shop MeitalsCoffeeArt got the Star Seller Badge, For excellence in customer service, reviews, shipping and sales.
I want to thank YOU, my loyal audience, for supporting me and coffee art! You are the best!!
You can visit my Etsy shop Here
* Inspired by small creatures?
This Bee on my coffee cup inspired me to paint my Venus Fly Trap coffee painting a year after this photo was taken.
* How do I choose my props for photography?
When I take photos of my painting, I try to use natural props if they suit the painting. This painting 'Wild Instinct' is about a wild cat (bobcat) and a woman who is wildly beautiful, with an elf ear. I think these tiny pinecones I found on my morning walk are the perfect match. See this painting here
* How much coffee do I drink?
Everyway I go, my coffee goes with me. I take my coffee machine with us in our camper to every family camping. This one was taken in the desert.
* What kind of photos you won't find on IG?
Me, trying not to laugh, with a brush in my mouth ๐
* How does my working space look?
My home studio desk is full of post-its, brushes, coffee, and lights. This time it was set up for a painting photoshoot.
* Is there Snow in CA?
If you follow me on Social, you've probably seen I mentioned our Husky Snow in my stories. She's the most fluffy, goofy and quiet husky I know. We love her!
* What is the tiniest coffee painting I've painted?
A few months ago I started painting mini coffee paintings (3x4"), and they are a hit! I love the tiny bronze frame that suits them so well. These are my first 4 mini paintings, many more to come!
* How I deal with reflections?
Mmmm not so well๐
Here is me, trying to take photos of myself, in front of the window. The reflections are well shown, and me holding the camera remote in my left hand and holding the painting in my right hand, trying to get a decent photo ๐๐ฌ
* Have you joined my Art Club yet??
Did you know that soon I'll be opening my own online painting course?!
Well, this is your chance to see more behind the scenes, learn all my coffee painting tricks and tips, get inspiration sources and tutorials and so MUCH MORE!!
You can join my Artist Club email list to get free painting content, details about my course, and when it'll be open for enrollment.
* Do I have my paintings on my home walls?
I love to print my paintings on large canvases, It saves me looking for a frame and doesn't have glass reflections.
* When do I get excited?
When I get a big delivery of my art printed on canvases ๐คฉ
* How does it look after we finish uploading the trailer, before driving to a big art show?
So many things to consider taking with you to an art fair, besides the art, of course.
I made a long list so I won't forget anything.
* How can I concentrate on painting in front of people when demonstrating at Art Fairs?
When I paint, I'm in the 'zone', I barely hear anything around and I'm all focused in the painting process. It's weird because I used to need a silent place to concentrate on studying in the past. I guess painting is a bit different for me.
* What's my routine look like?
Well, I'm known as a human version of an air plant. I forget to drink and eat for hours (days) when I'm working. I basically live on coffee and dark chocolate. I try my best to exercise more, and I squeeze in a Yoga short session in the mornings.
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Sometimes, when I forget to eat, I get spoiled by my kiddos with a healthy meal they prepared just for me, as a surprise. "Mom, you didn't eat all day, so I made you something to eat"... Awwww
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Here I am, eating my daughter's creation of a sunny side up on a toast and a lemonade slushy (crunched iced lemonade)
* How does my working space look at my booth?
Well, after two days of painting in the Yorba Linda Art Fair, my brush water looks like an earl grey tea, my paper towel stained with coffee, my painting is done and my heart is full :)