“I consider myself a late bloomer. Growing up, I always had this interest in making things, but I never had the concept that I could actually be an artist. I had a roommate in college who was an art major, and I remember sitting and staring at her pictures on the wall thinking that’s so cool–I wish I could do that!” she said. “I had the mindset that you are born with that talent, and I thought I had missed the ball game. But that just isn’t true, and Cups really helped me realize that.” 

Her first public showing was at Cups in Clinton, and it gave her a glimpse into what life as a full-time artist would be like.

“I had three pieces that sold, and I felt validated, you know? Because I looked at one of the pieces and thought people are going to think this is so lame and boring because it was just a big white canvas with a leafy, you know, painting of a tree on it. But then somebody bought it, and I realized that if I like it then other people are probably going to see the beauty in it too,” she said. 

“It made me so happy and so proud seeing it on the wall. I had friends who would walk in and go, ‘Hey, I saw your name and art on the wall!’ and I thought this must be how it is for other artists. That’s just a way of life for them.”

For Michelle, Cups’ “casual” atmosphere, friendly staff, and community focus created a place where she felt comfortable sharing her work and building her name as an artist. And while she mainly does art in her free time now, working primarily as an academic advisor at Hinds Community College, she still goes to Cups for inspiration and to put her work on display. 

“I go to Cups all the time in Clinton and elsewhere when I’m out. I’ve gotten to know the people there; Mary, who’s the manager, is great! I love going in there and just looking at people’s drawings and that inspires me even more. You know, artists can inspire each other or people like me, who didn’t even know they were artists. They can be inspired by seeing somebody’s work there and I just love that.” 

To any local artists wanting to have their art displayed at Cups, Michelle had this advice to share:

“This might sound cliche but just do it! Put it on display. If you find yourself judging your art–stop. If you like making art, just do it and do it regularly. Don’t worry about how people might evaluate it, just create because you enjoy it.” 

Be sure to stop by Cups in Clinton to see what new pieces of hers are available!

Photo of the artist Theo Milnor

Throughout this series, we’ve spoken to painters, sculptors, and visual artists about their creativity. This time, we’ll be speaking to Theo Milnor, a passionate crocheter, who says Cups, and the community therein, became a safe space for her to practice her craft and find new meaning as an artist.

For Theo, crocheting started out as a way to relieve stress and help her focus when she needed it most, like during class. 

“I started crocheting mainly because I was on break and wanted to try something new, only to figure out, oh, this is really, really nice. It’s something to do with my hands. I’ve done a bunch of different art stuff, but crochet was new to me,” she said. 

“Then [crocheting] became almost like a coping mechanism. When I was in lectures, I’d crochet to have something to do with my hands so I could, you know, listen to the teacher better. It’s a very calming thing to do. Whenever I come home and I’m just completely stressed, all I have to do is turn on the T.V. and crochet and I’ll be fine after like thirty minutes or so.”

However, crochet held a completely new meaning to Theo after one impromptu visit to Cups in Fondren. Not only did she find a place to explore her creative potential, but also a place to form new friendships. 

“I started crocheting over there and one day I made this little jellyfish, and all of the baristas were like, oh my gosh, that’s so cute! And I was like, do you want it? Since then, I make them little things to hang around the store and they’ll give me new ideas or themes to work on,” she said. 

“I just finished a summer theme, which was a series of sea animals. Now, I’m working on fall, and I just gave them a crochet ghost recently. They absolutely love it, and it’s made me realize how my work can make people happy. Seeing people get really excited over the stuffed animals I make is so worth it.”

Pictured above: Theo’s crochet pieces on display at Cups in Fondren

Theo’s experiences with Cups made her realize the importance of having a local spot for artists to show their work that isn’t always a museum.

“Cups creates safe spaces in Mississippi, especially for artists in my age group. Having a place like Cups is so inspiring,” she said. “Cups gives artists here a chance to get their work out there and say ‘hey, I’m doing something pretty cool and I’m getting recognized for it.’ Plus, it’s really, really nice to see everybody come together at Cups. You meet so many new people and everyone’s really nice. It’s just a great little community.”

To any local artists wanting to have their art displayed at Cups, Theo had this advice to share:

“Just go for it! It’s so satisfying to see your work on display or hanging up in the coffee shop. You could even inspire someone else and really get your name out there. You can do something you love. Don’t let fear or anxiety or any doubts hold you back!” 

Be sure to stop by Cups in Fondren to see what new items of hers are available! 

Photo of the artist Anna Cooper

For multimedia artist Anna Cooper, Cups was the first step in getting her work out to the community. While getting her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Mississippi College, Anna heard about Cups from a friend and saw it as an opportunity to gain experience and widen her network.

“She said that I could display my artwork there, and I thought that was a really cool opportunity. It was the first time my work had been displayed in an actual shop setting!” 

Pictured above: Anna’s mugs on display at Cups in Clinton.

Her mugs, inspired by the elegance of Renaissance and medieval architecture, quickly picked up attention and intrigue. Anna’s work was soon featured at the Mississippi Museum of Art, where she began to realize the importance local venues play in building an artist’s confidence and relationship with their audience.

“At the museum, people can really only look at your work,” she said. “There was more of a relaxed environment at Cups. People could interact with my art, and I felt that there wasn’t so much pressure on myself as an artist. It was a good break from all the critiques you deal with on a normal basis.” 

Pictured above: A close-up of the mugs on display.

Anna continues to make art, including her Renaissance-inspired mugs, while working as a studio technician at Hinds Community College. She’ll visit Cups in Clinton when going to see friends and is sure to get a vanilla frappuccino with either caramel or raspberry syrup during her trip. 

To any local artists wanting to have their art displayed at Cups, Anna had this advice to share:

“Cups is a great opportunity to reach more people! They can actually see and touch your artwork and will just appreciate it on a deeper level than they would from an Instagram post. If you have work you want to share, put it on display!” 

Stop by Cups in Clinton to see what new items of hers are available! You can also follow her on Instagram to see more of her work and support her on Patreon.

Photo of the artist Nicholas Leach

Louisiana-native Nicholas Leach found Cups while studying art at Mississippi College. For Nicholas, Cups was the place for networking and finding inspiration as an art student, especially since many of his fellow classmates had work on display there. 

“If you wanted to hang out or meet up with friends, you went to Cups,” he said. “Being there was so inspiring to me because of the art on display. Lots of student art. It was a community vibe. You could kind of peer into what was motivating the artists in Clinton and the college students. It was art that felt real. Being there was also inspiring on a personal level because it showed me that getting my work out into the world was feasible. Like I could get some recognition too.”

Pictured above: Nicholas’ art on display at Cups Clinton

One day, Nicholas’ friend, who worked as a barista in the Clinton cafe, recommended he put his art on display. What followed was a new perspective on his creative potential and his relationship with the art in his community. 

“The first few pieces I put on display, I had actually already created and just thought they would fit well on the wall,” he said. “But then, I started thinking more about how others would engage with my art, and I ended up making a piece specifically for the store. It was a colored pencil drawing of one of the Cups mugs. I thought it would resonate with students and would make me stand out to people who were just sitting in the cafe and happened to look at it.”

Today, Nicholas lives in Jackson, Mississippi and works as a graphic designer. On his days off, he practices oil painting with a focus on portraiture, and visits Cups in Fondren for a tall cup of black coffee. Cups is still the place where he meets friends, makes memories, and draws inspiration for his creative projects. 

To any local artists wanting to have their art displayed at Cups, Nicholas had this advice to share:

“Create something that’s true to you. If you’re putting your work up at Cups, put your best foot forward, because that piece is gonna be a lot of people’s first impression of you. Being on display can lead to a lot of connections–I’ve had a few friendships actually start that way. So, I would say put your best foot forward, but don’t get in your head too much about the process. Create what you like!”

Be sure to stop by Cups in Fondren or Cups in Clinton to see what new items of his are available! You can also visit his website or follow him on Facebook and Instagram to see more of his work!

“I’m now getting more invested and involved in the community,” he said, “and that’s really because of Cups. It offers a really integrated way of getting artists and the community to work together.”

Pictured above: Justin sits next to a display of his ceramics.

Today, Justin spends his time between digital drawing, ceramics, and photography. And while each medium has its own creative process, Justin says critique is one of the best ways for him to improve across the board.

“Having a space with people that you regularly interact with is a lot more conducive to an artist’s success,” he said. “I like that community aspect and that close culture at Cups. You can get feedback and see how it makes people feel. I’ll see people that tell me they use my cups every day and it’s great.” 

Justin credits Cups for new artistic connections–some of which have grown into thriving friendships.

“I get introduced to a lot of different people here,” he said. “I met two guys last week that I now hang out with. I also met a guy who works as an audio engineer and cinematographer that is now in my network. We often collaborate and work on projects together. Cups really brings creative minds together.”

Pictured above: Landscape painting in progress.

To any local artists wanting to have their art displayed at Cups, Justin had this advice to share:

“If you’re looking to put your work on display at Cups, know what you’re selling, know your market, and reach out and talk to some of the managers. Find a clear space that’s visible and have a display that’s inviting. Price accordingly and don’t stop at Cups. Go to markets, go to comic con, go to local events. Get involved in your community.” 

Be sure to stop by Cups in Fondren or Cups in the Quarter to see what new items of his are available!

Eamonn Cottrell, Cups’ Chief Operations Officer

For thirty years, Cups has been the go-to place for Mississippians to fuel up on their favorite espresso drinks and on inspiration from local art. We caught up with Eamonn Cottrell, Cups’ Chief Operations Officer, to get his take on how Cups continues to be a staple for local communities.

Eamonn has been with Cups for over twenty years. He started as a barista working at the cafe in Fondren. It was 2003 and he had just moved to Mississippi from Knoxville, TN. Cups helped him feel at home and find community while he worked to finish his education. 

A Connection to Community

“It was a lot of fun because I was able to do schooling and also have this cool job that for me–and the reason that I stayed there for so long in those years–connected me to a community that I was new to,” Eamonn said. “I got to know everyone from homeless people to doctors. I got to be friends with every facet of the community. That’s the thing I loved the most about it.”

After getting his business degree from Millsaps College in 2012, Eamonn returned to Cups, now as part of its business and operations. He noticed that Cups had become an even greater staple to local communities, as more and more people needed a place between work and home to recharge for the day. 

“What has not changed is the need to have a ‘third meeting place:’ somewhere to unwind between home and work,” Eamonn said. “And I think that’s why it’s so important for Cups to be in the various communities that it’s in, so that people have a spot to hang out and connect with each other. Zoom has been a godsend the last few years, but it’s not the same as being in person and sharing a coffee. There’s something about that in-person experience that will always be needed, especially at the local level.”

Looking Ahead

Eamonn says he’s excited for the new drinks, coffees, and innovative roasting techniques that are currently in the works. He also looks forward to seeing Cups continue its tradition as a go-to spot for Mississippi coffee lovers to be inspired.

“When Janice and Dennis talked about Cups, they talked about the desire for it to be a community staple for the neighborhood folks. And so, the core of what they wanted to do was have this art-filled place for anybody from any walk of life to be able to hang out and have a safe place to be. That core hasn’t changed, and it’s what I’ve always loved about Cups.”  

Reflecting on 30 Years of Cups

At the end of our chat, Eamonn shared a profound appreciation for Cups, the early days of his career, and all the memories made along the way. Here’s what he had to say:

“I’m about to be 40, so I’ve worked at Cups for half of my life at this point. Working at Cups has been one of the most influential things in my life, and I’m super grateful to the Camerons for starting it.”  

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and special offers in celebration of our 30th anniversary!

Nicole Herring standing in front of her mandala on display at Cups in Clinton.

For multimedia artist Nicole Herring, Cups is where she truly started to feel at home after moving from Ecuador to Mississippi. It was the first coffee shop she ever visited in the state, and after that first visit, Cups in Clinton became her go-to place for being inspired and planning her projects.

“The ambiance at Cups helps me sit and really think through what my next project will be, and what my plan is,” she said. “I’ve spent countless hours at Cups with my husband talking through my next steps. It’s definitely my go-to.”

Nicole’s creative process varies depending on what type of project she has, but generally she sticks to the same steps.

“My personal process is around five steps: Inspiration, Planning, Get Ready, Simply Grind, and what I call ‘Be Vulnerable’,” she said. “I find it most comforting to make a plan for my pieces, and Cups is my favorite place to go for this step.”

For detailed projects, like her realistic charcoal portraits, Nicole can spend up to 10 hours in the “grinding” phrase. Most of this time is spent capturing the finer details of her subjects–like their hair, clothes, or accessories. Nicole calls these “raw details” and they are her favorite part of the portrait.

“Realism is what I lean towards,” she said, “I love painting people in all of their contexts. Whether they’re in uniform or in memoriam.”

A portrait she did of her husband, a stunning charcoal drawing on canvas, took her a total of 120 hours over a two-week period. She broke her time up into eight-hour shifts (with a scheduled lunch break) to get the project completed, and then transitioned to an entirely different medium to keep her creative instincts sharp.

“I really enjoy switching between mediums. It’s refreshing to me because I do spend so much time on one project, sometimes over a hundred hours,” she said. “Switching gives me a chance to breathe. To go from pencil and texture to color and color theory is so great.”

“I suddenly have the freedom to decide if this next portrait will be warm or cold–I can create texture and reflection in a new way,” she continued. “Switching even influences my body language and posture. I’ll stand for hours in front of my easel, but when I weave my mandalas, I’ll have a more comfortable, focused form.”

In addition to portraiture, Nicole practices woodworking, creates yarn mandalas, designs stickers, and paints in both acrylic and watercolor. During the time between projects, Nicole goes to Cups for inspiration (and her go-to Chai latte). But no matter the medium, there comes a time when her creative process is done, and her work must be shared. She says this stage is one of the hardest for her.

“At the end of the process, there’s vulnerability,” she said. “I’ve spent so much time creating these works, putting my heart and soul into them, and then to have to share them with people puts me in a vulnerable position.”

Cups gave Nicole a way to grow confidence and push past those feelings of vulnerability. It also helped her gain valuable insight, and a sense of pride, seeing her art next to works by other local creatives.

“Cups has definitely helped me work through those feelings of vulnerability by giving me a platform where I could present my work and feel proud to have my art on display.”

To any local artists wanting to have their art displayed at Cups, Nicole had this advice to share:

“It’s easy to get your art displayed at Cups! The cafe in Clinton has been amazing, the manager there is very kind and makes sure I can always get in touch with her.”

Be sure to follow Nicole on Instagram (@nicoleherring.art) for updates on her latest projects and check out her work on your next visit to Cups in Clinton!

Illustrator Emily Fleming

When she isn’t working or attending class at Mississippi College (MC) to complete her master’s in graphic design, Clinton-based artist Emily Fleming is illustrating. She’s been a creative mind and illustrator since she could hold a pencil, and credits Cups for being a sweet retreat from the humdrum of her daily grind and a source of inspiration for her passion projects.

“Cups inspires you to be more free with whatever you’re drawing,” she said. “The cafes are, in the best way, products of their environment. They’re each very unique and speak to their surrounding community.”

It was this community-focused element that first interested Emily in getting her work displayed at Cups. The cafe closest to her, Cups in Clinton, is located on Mississippi College’s campus and offered her easy access to local artwork, some of which was created by her classmates.

“I could walk around and see work by someone in my class, or someone I knew,” Emily said about her visits. “It helped me feel a little bit more connected to the people around me and also inspired me to be part of it.”

“That inspiration really helped me when I made my fountain drawing,” she said. “My friend John Mark, who worked at Cups at the time, told me about how I could get my work on display. So, I went for it.”

“Fountain” by Emily Fleming

Emily’s fountain illustration, displaying a serene scene on MC’s campus, was well received and helped create a foundation for her to build from. She has started selling prints of the fountain drawing and is working on creating a series of stickers inspired by campus life.

But that’s not all. Emily sometimes visits her local Cups to work on projects that are purely for her creative expression. Her most recent passion project is a multi-genre comic that brings together the best elements of mystery, crime, and fantasy.

“The best way I can describe it is as a ‘modern-fantasy-crime novel’. It’s modern wizards that are solving crimes. It’s a fun time,” she said. “I’ve thought about the project since high school but have never really made the time to see it through until now.”

She credits her friends, and the space at Cups, with helping her get started on her comic, and for helping her pace herself through the creative process. She believes that artists should always make time for their own personal projects in order to avoid creative burnout and to challenge themselves in a fun way.

“It’s so important to find time for yourself, and draw things for yourself,” she said. “It’s important to have hobbies that are just for you.”

When she isn’t working on her comic, Emily will sometimes visit Cups just to vibe and sip her go-to order: an iced Caramel Macchiato (with whole milk, always).

“Sometimes I’ll go just to get a coffee and walk around and look at everybody’s art. It’s really great to see what other people in your area are working on. It’s always all so different.”

To any local artists wanting to have their art displayed at Cups, Emily had this advice to share:

“Just do it! People get scared of the process, but just do it–it’s fun and you get to be a part of the community!”

Be sure to follow Emily on Instagram (@em_flemlem) for updates on her latest work and to preview her comic and check out her work on your next visit to Cups in Clinton!

Artist Roger Leonard Long in front of his portraits

For Ridgeland-based artist Roger Leonard Long, Cups is where he got his start.

“My first exhibit was with Cups Fondren, when I was 18,” he said. “They were the first ones to allow me to exhibit, and I really appreciated them giving me the opportunity.”

Roger began drawing as a child and was recognized in school for his artistic abilities. He developed a love and skill for dance in middle school, and since then, has used choreography and portraiture in his life as creative outlets. However, despite his years of artistic skill, Roger’s first exhibit made him realize that he still had a lot to learn about the art world.

“I was a self-taught artist and didn’t know much about framing,” he said about that first exhibit, “But, through my exhibit, I was able to meet other artists… and I learned more about framing, matting, and presentation.”

Roger started his business, Portrait Phenomenon Studios, that same year with his wife Tena Long to provide space and time for him to take on commissioned pieces. Ironically, it was Cups, and not the pressure to meet commission deadlines, that motivated Roger to push his creative boundaries.

“Because Cups regularly allowed me to exhibit,” he said, “it motivated me to have new work–because I knew it would be seen.”

He also appreciated the audience at Cups and felt confident that his work would be well received by the public–something that is not always guaranteed when exhibiting at museums.

“The good thing about Cups is that I can display my Tupac, Biggie, and Kurt Cobain and I know they will be appreciated,” he said. “Museums will often curtail what you can put on display. I don’t have to worry about that with Cups.”

A man admires Roger Leonard Long’s series of portraits.

Roger’s latest exhibit is ongoing at Cups Fondren and features pieces, like a photorealistic portrait of Tupac, that were displayed during Roger’s first Cups exhibit all those years ago. Other pieces, like “This is Mississippi”, are more recent and display Roger’s growth as an artist.

“This is Mississippi” by Roger Leonard Long

During his opening night, Roger answered many questions posed by exhibit-goers about his creative process and sources of inspiration. It is this connection between art, artist, and audience that is so important in maintaining a local artist community.

“…It helps people see what’s going on around the city. It’s good for Mississippians to see that artists can survive here,” he said. “It also gives the public a chance to support their local artists and show that as a community, we support the arts.”

Roger discusses his art with exhibit-goers.

To any local artists wanting to have their art displayed at Cups, Roger had this advice to share:

“Go to other artist’s exhibits. Meet other artists and make that connection. Artists know the struggle and are willing to connect to uplift other artists. When you have your exhibit, invite other local artists and be open to constructive criticism. That advice that you get from artists is priceless.”

Roger continues to create photorealistic portraits and prints, sometimes while enjoying his go-to White Mocha from Cups. His artwork is available to view at Cups Fondren all summer. Be sure to follow him on Instagram (@portraitphenomenastudio) for updates on his latest work!

Multimedia visual artist Green

Jackson-based multimedia visual artist, H.I. Green, says Cups made them feel like they had been “awakened again” and considers the cafe a go-to place for getting inspiration for new artworks. 

For Green, the creative process starts with the title. 

“Thinking of a title is the start to everything most of the time,” Green said. “Hearing weird, random quotes from people’s conversations at Cups can really help with title-building.”

After selecting a title, Green then drafts the “look” or overall aesthetic of the artwork through journaling, and then works with acrylic paints and oil pastels to bring the vision to life. Cups has played a vital role in the initial drafting and brainstorming process of Green’s work since their undergraduate days. 

“Many a sketch was done at Cups on late nights when I had sketches due the next day,” Green said. “As an undergrad, I would come and do homework or sketch during my favorite barista’s shift and we’d talk about art I was working on and catch up. It was nice to talk to people that I don’t normally talk to about my work.”

Green has since had their work displayed at Cups in Fondren. Their work “Looking Forward to It,” an acrylic and oil pastel on canvas, garnered a huge positive response on social media, and represented a revitalization of the artist’s vision and confidence. 

“Once ‘Stuck in the Green Room’ sold, I had all of this space,” Green said. “I started forcing myself to sketch a lot more and journal a lot more. ‘Looking Forward to It’ came out of a sheer need for painting and to get myself to do art again since it had been a minute since I had done a really good, finished piece.” 

Green says that being able to show their work at Cups, without the stress of commission, also allowed them to feel more connected to their community and prepare them for graduate school. 

“Having my work displayed at Cups allowed me to be more confident in people seeing and looking at my work,” Green said. “Cups helped me feel like my art had a place in the community…It felt nice to have something displayed and to see that people were enjoying it.”

To any local artists wanting to have their art displayed at Cups, Green had this advice to share: 

“Come prepared. Lay out your pieces and see which one fits the vibe. And don’t forget to make name cards for your pieces!”

H.I. Green is currently applying to graduate schools and continues to create artwork and visit Cups for inspiration and their go-to Honeybush fog with oat milk. Be sure to follow them on Instagram (@h.i.greenn) for updates on their latest work!