TACLOBAN CITY – For some, mornings are not complete without coffee but for a young artist from Samar, he needs coffee, not only to uplift his mood but also fill each stroke on his canvas.

For 18-year-old Mark Noel Daras from Tarangnan, Samar, coffee is an essential component in creating his inspiring pieces of art.

Not only it is readily available but is also way cheaper than the usual art materials that he could not afford.

He also chose coffee painting because he wanted to change his style and create unique art pieces.

"Coffee painting has helped me a lot because people started noticing me in the realm of art. I am also able to help my family in our day-to-day expenses and school fees that is why I am grateful to be blessed with such talent," he shared.

Mark is the fourth of five children.

When his parents separated, he was left under the care of his father who cooks and sells crabs for a living.

Art has somehow helped change his perspective during the lockdown caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

He was able to create portraits of prominent personalities such as President Rodrigo Duterte, celebrity hosts Willie Revillame, Jessica Soho, and Raffy Tulfo, and Mother Teresa.

His portraits of the last supper and horses have also gone viral on the internet.

As a tribute to the late former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III Mark created a portrait of PNoy using stick coffee and creamer and it looked really great, even without sugar.