Taylor Swift Portrait from Coffee Grounds
Michelle Wibowo and Taylor Swift Portrait made out of used coffee ground
A Brew-tiful New Medium
If you’ve followed my journey at Michelle Sugar Art over the years, you know I absolutely love pushing the boundaries of what can be done with edible and everyday materials. From giant cake sculptures to intricate sugar miniatures, I’m always on the hunt for my next creative challenge.
So, when the team at CBBC invited me to be part of Series 2 of Go Get Arty, I jumped at the chance!
For my feature on the show, I decided to step away from my usual sugar paste and royal icing to try something a little different: used coffee grounds.
Using food waste as an artistic medium is something I’ve become increasingly passionate about. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it also shows young, aspiring artists that you don't need expensive art supplies to make something incredible. Inspiration (and materials!) can be found right inside your kitchen cupboards.
Bridging Art and Technology on CBBC
One of the most exciting aspects of Go Get Arty is how it inspires the next generation of creatives. It was such a fun challenge turning everyday food waste into art with the help of tech for the next generation of creatives!
I used a drawing app on an iPad to manipulate the image, then used a VR headset to project and transfer it onto a larger canvas. I then hand-spread the coffee grounds, fixing them in place with PVA glue, and carefully refined the lines using a handheld vacuum cleaner.
Working with CBBC is always a blast because their mission aligns so closely with mine: encouraging kids (and adults!) to experiment, make mistakes, and just have fun creating.
Whether you're working with sugar, coffee, paint, or recycled materials, the most important step is simply getting started.
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer here
