Elody Yimon: The Barista Who Paints with Coffee—A Journey of Art, Passion, and Espresso
Few baristas blur the lines between coffee and art as beautifully as Elody Yimon. More than just a skilled barista, she transforms her love for coffee into stunning works of art—using espresso as her paint. With a deep appreciation for Middle Eastern coffee culture and a unique approach to creativity, Elody’s journey is an inspiring blend of passion, skill, and dedication. In this exclusive interview, she shares how her artistic journey began, how she balances introversion and extroversion behind the bar, and her dreams of creating large-scale coffee art.
Making coffee for people is an absolute pleasure. As an ambivert, I can easily adapt—switching to an extroverted mode when discussing coffee. I love sharing knowledge about the best coffees we offer, and when it comes to telling the story of Mokha1450, I’m always eager to engage.
What first inspired you to start drawing with coffee? Was it an artistic passion or a spontaneous discovery?
I grew up surrounded by my cousin sisters, who are professional artists, and their talent inspired me. I always had a desire to sketch, and although I experimented with acrylic painting, I never pursued it professionally. I’ve always been drawn to handmade crafts, from crochet to beanies, so when I discovered I could paint with coffee, it felt like a natural extension of my creativity.
Being a barista is an art in itself. Do you see a connection between preparing coffee and creating your artwork?
Absolutely. I love art, I love drawing, and I love coffee. Being a barista allows me to merge all these passions into one—creating a perfect harmony between craft and creativity.
How do you choose what to paint with coffee? Do you take inspiration from café culture, emotions, or personal experiences?
My inspiration comes from my experiences as a barista. Whenever I visit a café and have an espresso, I want to remember it. So, I sketch the coffee shop or the bar and use the same espresso I drank that day as the background color. Even after it dries, I can still smell the aroma of the coffee, and every time I look back at my drawings, I remember the flavors and experiences tied to them. One of my favorites is a sketch of the Mokha1450 bar, painted with Colombia Geisha espresso.
Your energy and positivity are contagious! What keeps you motivated in both your barista work and your artistic journey?
Moving to the Middle East as a barista was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The coffee culture here is incredible, and the community is welcoming and inspiring. Every day brings new learning opportunities, and that constant growth keeps me motivated to improve both my barista skills and my coffee art.
What has been your most memorable experience as a barista so far?
Recently, the cupping event hosted by Mokha1450 and Lohas Coffee was an unforgettable experience. I tasted some of the most remarkable coffees in my career, and the Pacamara variety stood out—it was truly amazing.
Where do you see your coffee art going in the future? Any exciting projects or dreams you’d love to achieve?
My dream is to create large-scale coffee art on canvas, showcasing it at an event like World of Coffee. Right now, I’m still refining my ability to draw portraits, but once I master that, bringing my vision to life on a grand scale will be my next big goal.
If you could have coffee with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Without a doubt, my mom. She loves coffee, but in our home country, specialty coffee isn’t widely known. I want to brew a great cup for her and share my passion when I visit home again.
