Ballard Coffee Works (Part 2)

November 11, 2018

Over the period of two months, I was assigned to complete two different murals in Ballard Coffee Works. This post reflects on the second mural, which can be found next to the brew bar.

To continue the theme of Ethiopian coffee culture, the focus of this mural were Ethiopian coffee plants, which are actually more like trees. Untamed, they grow wild, baring fruit on branches high above our heads; you can wrap both hands around the circumference of the trunk.

For me, this piece was a combination of styles from the first and second murals I had done (Capitol, and Cascade Coffee Works). The colors of the sunset play a large role in creating a mood for the overall piece, and the tree attempts to loom out at the viewer, as if beckoning to pluck its cherries. Originally, the wall was going to have just a tree. However, in talking to Sebastian (one of the owners), I was convinced that the mural needed a proper background. He told me of his travels to Ethiopia, reminiscing over the vivid colors of the sunsets… deep shades of orange and red. I believed a red sunset would compliment the cherries, as well as create a stark contrast with the green plants (“lots of green” was a request for the mural). I wanted to create an environment where you could look out into the valley, and feel at peace while sipping a coffee.

While it wasn’t a challenge, it was a unique experience having to work with the light fixtures. Subconsciously, and consciously, I painted the sunset according to where the fixtures were, and as such, the gradient of the sunset was affected by the placement of the lights. The lights reminded me of tiki torches in a forrest, lighting up the plants and tree with it’s golden glow. There were two points of light that I played with, one being the actual light from the fixtures, and the other being the sunset. I took into account the light coming from behind the plants and tree, and the light shining down from the “torches”. It helped make the foreground pop out, and allowed the fixtures to play a key role in the mural, rather than become a distraction.

Throughout the project, I found it difficult to really know what I was doing, as I could only paint at night, and the store was quite dark. As a result, I ended up using a lot more blue in the plants, which I didn’t realize until I saw the final product in the daylight. It was a wonderful surprise, as it made the mural much more vibrant than I had anticipated.

Unlike the other mural in BCW, this was done free-hand, and unplanned. Each step required patience, and thought. I had to trust my own intuition, and I had to believe that each stroke was the right thing to do… even if I felt unsure. In the end, I am truly pleased with the process, and how this turned out. I know I have much more to learn, but I am very happy with what I’ve done, and I’m glad it looks even better in the daylight!

If you get a chance, come check out both murals at Ballard Coffee Works, located in Ballard, Seattle Washington, on the intersection of Market St. and 22nd!

Below is a time-lapse I made of the process, with music also made by me!

Cheers,

Kyle Smith

A time lapse of a mural I did in Ballard Coffee Works, located in Ballard, Seattle WA. This is influenced by the coffee trees that grow wild in Ethiopia. Music also made by me! Thanks, Kyle Smith

Ballard Coffee Works (Part 1)

November 11, 2018

Over the period of two months, I was assigned to complete two different murals in Ballard Coffee Works. This post focuses on the first mural, which can be found in the community room.

Ultimately, the mural had to follow a theme that would best represent Ethiopian coffee culture. Using photos from a recent trip that an employee had made to Ethiopia, I was able to recreate the presentation of the Jebena, pots, cups, and basket, which are commonly used during coffee ceremonies.

Knowing that wainscoting would be added, I decided to use the bottom half of the wall differently, using a style that would contrast nicely with the top half of the wall. Without being a distraction, the coffee bean decals tie the image together, presenting coffee in its natural habitat, alongside with one of the oldest coffee traditions in the world.

During the planning stage, while putting ideas onto paper, I was under the impression that I would be working with three colors; however, I would later discover it would only be two colors, and white. It was quite challenging, as I’d never painted with just two colors- especially using tones that were similar (both had an earthy quality). I would eventually use white as shading to make the foreground pop out.

Due to the nature of the piece, this was the first mural in which I had to draw according to scale. This was one of the toughest challenges of the project, as I was using rope and a tape measurer to create the grid. The rope rarely stayed straight, always wanting to coil back up, so I had to work quickly. Number crunching and converting from fraction to decimal was a headache, and at some point I couldn’t have cared less if I was .083 of an inch off. Needless to say, it gave me perspective as to what artists might’ve had to go through before the age of technology. Me thinks I’ll use a laser next time.

Cascade Coffee Works

January 29, 2018

To kick off the New Year, I was commissioned by Seattle Coffee Works to paint a mural for their new location, Cascade Coffee Works, located in downtown South Lake Union, Seattle.

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On the left side of the mural branches of a coffee plant leap out towards the viewer, baring its overly large cherries and twisted leaves. On the far right, two pods wait to be plucked from a cocoa tree, its leaves hanging high above three macro photos of coffee cherries printed on square metal sheets. The tree swirls and fades into thin air as two large birds of paradise emerge into the foreground; a green border of leaves forms around the bottom edge of the mural, drawing the eye towards another set of life-sized birds of paradise sitting in the background to create depth, giving the illusion that one could walk into the mural, into another world.

*~*

This project required me to think differently, and step outside of my comfort zone. I am fascinated by realism, as it forces me to focus on the smallest details that create the bigger picture. But, when time is of the essence, one must compromise comfort and take a leap of faith. It is a challenge to send a message in an unfamiliar way. What does the artist want to show us, and why?

Coffee is a fruit. Much like wine, one can attain a variety of flavors through an extensive process of harvesting, washing, fermenting, and drying; flavors are further accentuated during the roasting process. As coffee culture continues to boom in Seattle, the idea of coffee is expanding beyond the bean. By presenting coffee in its wild form, as a fruit, customers might begin to view it as more than just a pick-me-up.

I grew immensely from this project; I took chances without hesitation, and overcame problems by trusting my judgement. While I am happy with what I have achieved, I know I have much to learn about running a small business, and this is a good start.

Thank you, Coffee Works, for providing, yet, another space for me to unleash some creativity. I am grateful for the opportunity.

Sincerely,

Kyle

Garden of Coffee Works

January 24, 2018

At the beginning of 2017 I was asked to do a mural for Seattle Coffee Works, who were in the process of opening a new location in the bustling neighborhood, Capitol Hill, in downtown Seattle. The project spanned over two walls for a combined size of 27' x 10'.

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If you spend enough time walking through the streets and alleyways of downtown Seattle, you'll notice that there are an absurd amount of murals in this city, plastered on the walls of restaurants, entire buildings, even strip clubs. Art is welcome everywhere you go.

It wasn't hard to find inspiration, but it was difficult to come up with a style that would represent me. What could I do differently?

As I reflect on the work, I realize that the style is nothing unique, but the world I created is truly my own. I relied on my memory to build the "Garden of Coffee Works", using only my imagination to recreate a realistic environment. When I wasn't in front of the mural, I was in front of plants and trees, studying details. Creating depth on a flat surface meant understanding distance; I paid attention to the relation of size and perspective. I noticed that even though all the leaves on a tree were of similar size, the leaf closest to me looked three times the size of another in the distance.

My point: I was learning how to paint the world we see everyday by paying attention to my surroundings.

This was the first time I had ever taken on a project of this size, using a medium that I was not very familiar with. I have done, perhaps, one proper painting prior to this project. I practiced mixing colors, I learned the various applications for different types of brushes, and I came to understand the importance of layering.

I spent too much time focusing on smaller details, rather than getting the bigger picture down first. I spent too much time stepping back, staring at the mural, and pondering over what I should do, instead of trusting my instincts and putting down what came to mind.

It took me six months to complete the mural. It also took me six months to realize that it had to be finished, even if I could work on it forever. I wanted the mural to be perfect, and I wanted it to have everything imaginable, from bamboo plants, to coffee plants, to vines, flowers, and everything in between. I didn't put a lot of time in making a plan for the mural, and as such, there was no direction or goal to follow; I was free to do as I wish, with no idea of what the final product would look like. I did a trial mural at home, painting different trees and plants I thought might work for the coffee shop. However, the final product reflected very little of what I had done at home.

Yet, I am very pleased with what came of the whole process. For a first-ever mural, it was crazy taking on two walls at once... But, it was an amazing journey, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity that allowed me to unleash my creativity and explore my mind.

I hope that this is the start to something more, an adventure of a lifetime.

Below are a few pictures of the walls, along with a silent 42 minute video showing the entire process of bringing the mural to life.

Sincerely,

Kyle Smith