Sometimes, especially in the wee hours of the morning, you just need that pick-me-up. Most people's go-to? A strong cup of coffee!
Artist and coffee enthusiast Carrah Aldridge knows that very well. But she also knows that inspiration can come from even the most mundane places and that with a little creativity, you can turn something plain into something beautiful.
Inspired by another artist, Carrah, 19, decided to try her hand at decorating a Starbucks cup, using the iconic mermaid as a jumping-off point.
We also assume the little caffeine kick helped out, too. If you're craving your own fix, we suggest trying out this simple recipe for pumpkin spice coffee right at home — although that would give you less cups to draw on.
So the next time you're enjoying your coffee — or whatever complicated Starbucks order that is capturing your heart today — take a moment and consider what your plain cup might become if you picked up a pen.
(h/t: BoredPanda)
Using markers and gel pens, Carrah turns the plain cups into vibrant, intensely detailed works of art.
Many of her cups have themes or color schemes, like this frosty blue one.
The detail is stunning, and on each cup, the Starbucks mermaid gets a makeover and a unique personality.
Carrah also keeps the cups she draws on (after rinsing them, we assume). This colorful cup is the first Starbucks cup art she created.
This cup was created in honor of Markiplier, a well-known YouTuber. Since her cups have gained popularity, Carrah has connected with thousands of people — including the people at Starbucks, who are loving her artwork!
To create the cups, Carrah starts with the mermaid image in the center, often giving her makeup, jewelry, and new clothes. Then she builds the drawing outward until the cup is covered.
The awesome thing about a project like this is that anyone can do it, and you can make it as fancy or as minimalist as you like!
Just by drawing repeating patterns, you can create something really beautiful.
The possibilities are endless! After seeing all these, you might never look at a Starbucks card the same way again.
If you like these, be sure to check out the rest of Carrah's artwork, which involves way more than just cups, on her Instagram.
And be sure to SHARE her work with a friend so that the next time you go out for coffee, you can try your hand at doodling on the cups!
