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Artist Paints Ephemeral Portraits on Vintage Paper Using Coffee as a Medium

Michael Aaron Williams is globally recognized for his statement street art that aims to provoke dialogue and stimulate social commentary. However, the Tennessee native has also become renowned for his detailed coffee paintings that capture the ephemeral nature of his subjects. Intimate and fragile, these portraits are painted onto a canvas of century-old paper taken from antique ledgers dating back to the early 20th century. Williams' coffee portraits (with a bit of ink thrown in to highlight details) communicate powerful emotions and aim to express the purity of the human soul.

After completing a Bachelor's in Fine Arts in Alabama, and then a MFA in Missouri, Williams continued to develop his talents, going on to have artwork exhibited across America and internationally. The artist enjoys using coffee as a medium due to the natural and organic color, and also the cost-effective nature and pleasant smell of the “paint”. Combined with the vintage papers, found in an abandoned Appalachian store owned by his relatives, Williams' artwork aptly harmonizes these elements to form pieces that are rich in character and detail. 

Michael Aaron Williams: Website | Facebook
via [Creative Boom]

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