Cocoa Ink

Nicole Hewat is the artist behind the cocoa ink/paint creations. She has been painting since she was a child and keeps discovering new ways to create and work with different forms of paint. Cocoa powder and husks create a wide range of colours, especially when the pH is shifted to allow for pinks and yellows. Cocoa butter is similar to working with linseed based oil paint but it is not a drying oil. The cocoa butter paintings need to be photographed to be preserved. You can enjoy them in Nicole's book 'Cacao to Chocolate'. If you would like to learn more about her creative process, you can check out this blog and podcast.

Grinding burnt cocoa husks with gum arabic, water and honey to make paint.
'Honduras' At an art exhibition in January 2020 where this painting was included, Nicole paired a chocolate bar with the painting at the opening by offering samples. The bar was made by Finnia Chocolate with beans that Juan provided from Honduras. REFERENCE PHOTO SOURCE | Juan Gonzalez, MABCO
'Peru' Elfie and Maxime of Qantu wrote this about the location: “A landscape from Piura, the blessed land. It’s a rice field beside our white cacao plantation. The field is so calm, the wind slowly caresses the dry rice and invites us to move deeper into the field to see the magnificent white cacao plantation.”
'Guatemala' A river on the way to ADIOESMAC Cooperative in Cahabon, Guatemala REFERENCE PHOTO SOURCE | Kim Wilson
'Ecuador' This text was included with the reference image: “Different shades of green at the farm. This is the highest point, we can observe hills of cacao planted alongside citrus and other fruit. It’s curious birds choose to fly at the same altitude here everyday around 4:00pm, perhaps surfing the warm currents pushed by incoming air flows from the ocean.” REFERENCE PHOTO SOURCE | Costa Esmeraldas
'Columbia' The reference image is posted on Instagram with this text: “In Ikun, DUNA is to have spiritual thought connected to the good of the world. This “good” takes many forms. Being Connected shows us that we are not alone; DUNA brings us peace and helps us to know our value as human beings. It leads us to do good work in balance with the elements that surround us. DUNA is a harmonious coexistence with nature. To be DUNA is to be free and happy. For me, DUNA is a thought that goes hand in hand with the importance of the preservation of the Sierra Nevada, which begins with individuals and contributes to social welfare. Our goal in our work with cacao in this region is to maintain the balance of DUNA while, at the same time, we share important messages from our culture with other cultures.” REFERENCE PHOTO SOURCE | Francisco, Teyruna Cacao
Bumble Bee 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Cacao Sapling 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Balloon 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Ocean 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Puffin 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Night Sky 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Mantis Shrimp 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Chrysalis 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Mars Sun 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Sunset 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Owl 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Violets 2021 Watercolour + Cocoa Ink
Cacao Love 2021 Watercolour paint