Our best pandemic purchase for weathering lockdown (and the art it inspired)

Rituale Quotidiano, above, and the super automatic espresso machine that inspired a series of coffee photographs

Coffee, and, in particular, freshly brewed espresso, is very near and dear to my husband and me. So much so, that tracking down good coffee in and around Oakland, California, became part of our early days of dating. We had heaps of fun sipping cappucinos and lattés at third wave coffee places like Blue Bottle, Verve (in Santa Cruz & SF), Farley’s, as well as at cozy brunch spots like Boot & Shoe Service on Grand Avenue.

Fast forward to a very different reality at the end of 2020 with yet another Coronavirus shelter-in-place order for the Bay Area.. We decided to finally go for it and buy a super automatic espresso machine so that we could enjoy any number of proper espresso drinks at home. It was a joint Hanukkah and Christmas present to one another, and we’re absolutely loving it. Can you say impromptu happy dances?

I set up an “at home coffee bar” and ever since then this new, wondrous kitchen appliance has inspired me so much over the last few weeks that I began to study beans and grounds through my macro lens. I’m shooting a small series of coffee themed photographs and in so doing am learning about the texture and character of what goes into my favorite daily ritual.

This first coffee bean photograph shown here is called Rituale Quotidiano, or ‘daily ritual’ in Italian because A, it sounds so lovely and B, Italians are the most enthusiastic fans of “un buon caffè e la dolce vita” I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.

Reaching for freshly brewed espresso under a canvas print of Rituale Quotidiano fine art photograph. Meta?

Thanks for stopping by. Kindly join my email list to learn about new work, exclusive sales and upcoming limited releases.

~ Cheers and happy little dances to you ~