From cup to canvas: How coffee became Nakuru artist’s signature medium
Mbatia Karanja poses for a photo with his art made with coffee
For Mbatia Karanja, art began as a childhood talent before becoming a professional career in 2014, and today, the Nakuru-based artist uses coffee to tell stories that connect with people.
Mbatia recalls drawing simple pictures on the ground while in primary school, attracting praise from teachers. Although he discovered his talent early, pursuing art professionally was not immediately supported by his father, who viewed the career as unfamiliar and uncertain.
After completing Form Four, Mbatia did not attend college. Instead, he took on different jobs to survive while continuing to practice art. He drew daily, sometimes copying images from newspapers, and gradually developed his skills. Along the way, he experimented with jewelry, seasonal cards and collage, selling whatever he could create.
His turning point came in March 2014 when he quit his job and moved into a small, rented space that he had begun developing as a studio. There, he prayed for guidance and committed himself to art.
He notes that his exposure to artists Hilary Njathi and Steve Nyaga helped change his perception of what was possible.
"Njathi later encouraged me to develop my collage work instead of selling it cheaply. Consequently, I produced dozens of pieces, developing a distinct rhythm and style," he says.
However, his artistic direction changed after his father died around 2016 and he returned to Nakuru. He notes that he wanted to create a gallery and expose young people to art, but realised many customers struggled to connect with abstract pieces. Therefore, he began creating portraits using biro, pencil and acrylic before eventually discovering coffee as his medium.
"My first coffee artwork depicted a baby suckling a mother whose breast appeared dry. For me, the image represented a child clinging to hope, while also reflecting my own determination to survive through art," says.
Some of the art made by Mbatia Karanja made with coffee
Although coffee art remains unfamiliar to many people, he says its uniqueness and stories are gradually attracting attention. He sources ordinary drinking coffee, explaining that the medium matters less than the colour and story it creates.
He highlights that some artworks take days or months because he works in phases noting the prices range from Sh3,000 to Sh100,000, depending on the piece.
Looking ahead, Mbatia hopes to contribute to Nakuru’s art scene through purposeful work, dialogue, artistic counselling and therapeutic art. Ultimately, he dreams of creating art that can instantly heal someone.
If his child chooses art, he says he would offer full support, adding that children should be allowed to explore possibilities beyond what their parents know.