The present disclosure provides a stable aqueous composition comprising an aqueous component, a hydrophobic complex comprised of a multivalent metal salt complexed with nanocellulose fibers and lignin, with the composition exhibiting a viscosity sufficient to prevent coalescing and settling of the hydrophobic complex in the aqueous component. The composition may be used to coat surfaces of articles to produce a hydrophobic surface. Once applied to the surface, the aqueous coating is spread to form a wet film covering the surface and is then dewatered and dried to produce a dried hydrophobic coating.