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Arts & Entertainment

Illustrated Book Drives Local Artist to Drink

John Hinderliter mixes business with pleasure, participating in an illustrator's directory with a twist…of lime.

Belly up to the bar for “Drawing Under The Influence: An Illustrator’s Guide to Mixing Drinks,” published by the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators, a unique combination of art and alcohol. The book is a directory of local illustrators and a cocktail recipe book.

“The idea is simple," said Bethel Park artist John Hinderliter. "Every year art directors receive postcards and illustration directories helping them to decide who to hire. They toss them out and get a new one. We wanted to do a book with a drink recipes in it, so it sticks around a bit. Something for clients to hold on to.”

Hinderliter is one of nearly 60 artists (of the 124 members) of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators participating in “Drawing Under the Influence.”

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The book offers many popular drink recipes from exotic drinks (the Hot Hound, the Naughty Angel, the Devil’s Advocate) to the basics (the Grasshopper, the Manhattan, the Dry Martini).

Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators members Ron Magnes and George Schill created the concept for the handy bartender’s guide/art book. Hinderliter and a group of artists ran with it.

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“I thought it was a really clever idea,” said Hinderliter.

He is featured in two two-page spreads in the cocktail composition, and he chose the drink recipes.

“Vodka on the rocks, and Bourbon and water," he said. That’s what we have around the house. Bourbon and water is my drink. My wife likes to have a vodka, occasionally.”  

He also enjoys a good beer. “I don’t drink 'Nascar' beers ('Budweiser, IC Light, Michelob'). I like a good beer.”

Hinderliter has been making a living as an artist for 37 years. Born in New Jersey, Hinderliter was raised in Canton, Pa. He moved to Pittsburgh to attend the Ivy School of Professional Art and stayed in the city, working in advertising. He had a studio in downtown Pittsburgh for 18 years, but went from bricks to clicks, garnering work through his website www.johnhinderliter.com.

Hinderliter smiled and said, “I do most of my work at home now. It’s great. If I have to go out, I charge a ‘pants fee,’ a slight sum to get dressed and attend a business meeting.

“In the morning I get up and I surf artist’s blogspots," he said. "I have a litany of artists and illustrators I like to check out. People don’t realize it, but you have to check out what the other artists are doing, just like to be a great writer you have to read (William) Faulkner, (Ernest) Hemingway and (F. Scott) Fitzgerald.”

He regularly attends a Wednesday night figure drawing class held at South Arts, the historic schoolhouse on South Park Road in Bethel Park.

On Tuesdays, from Sept. 27-Oct. 25, he will be teaching a portraiture class, instructing the finer points of capturing a likeness.

“Driving Under the Influence” is available at www.pittsburghillustrators.org for $5.

The original art is currently on display at Gallerie Chiz in Shadyside.

Check out John Hinderliter and the multitude of artists participating in the book.

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