The world of commercial art can be pretty tough. In fact, with deadlines constantly looming, it can, and has, caused a few to drink and draw. Such is the premise behind "Drawing Under the Influence," a new recipe book by members of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators, a Pittsburgh-area group of more than 160 professional illustrators.
According to Mark Brewer, president of the organization, art directors receive illustration directories each year helping them decide which illustrators they would like to use.
"At the end of the year, they toss them out and get a new one," says Brewer, whose illustrations have appeared in the Trib. "We thought that a book of drink recipes just might stay on the shelf a little longer. Something that an art director can take home and use. It's 'greener' than tossing it out and prolongs our advertising efforts."
The project started off as a cookbook, as suggested by a member, Ron Magnes.
"Once we figured out what was involved in the process of creating a cookbook -- making sure recipes worked, etc. -- we needed something more simple," Brewer says. "Drinks have simple recipes, most of them anyway. And if you mix it wrong, chances are it will still taste wonderful. In fact, chances are you won't even remember after slugging a couple of these adult beverages down. Forget to add baking soda, salt or vanilla extract to your cookies, and you're in trouble."
Close to 60 artists from the group worked on the project, illustrating backgrounds for their favorite drink recipes, some nonalcoholic. In addition to the book (available for $5 at www.pittsburghillustrators.org), all of them are on display in an exhibit at Gallerie Chiz in Shadyside through Sept. 30.
The range of contributors runs from newer talent to some of the most seasoned illustrators in the business.
For example, Byron Winton, who lives in the North Side's Mexican War Streets, figured participating in the "Drawing Under the Influence" book would be a perfect opportunity to get his work out to a wider market.
"I've been doing comic-book conventions for over 12 years and felt the need to branch out a little," he says. "My process demands plenty of time that I didn't have to create a new painting and meet the initial deadline of the book. I took the advice of another member and scoured through the list of drinks hoping to find one that matched an existing piece. There were a couple options, but I was thrilled to find the Vicious Sid (drink) and knew exactly what painting to use."
The painting depicts Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein looking tough in leather jackets, reminiscent of late punk rocker Sid Vicious and his girlfriend, Nancy Spungeon. Winton's love for Frankenstein's monster and what he represents is based on the 1931 Universal Pictures adaptation of Mary Shelly's novel.
"The monster was bound to make an appearance in my work, one time or another," he says. "I am a fan. I can, or I used to, relate to his yearning. The yearning for his creator's acceptance. And being a collection of patch-work 'influences.' Yeah, I've over-analyzed it. He's my totem monster."
Many of the illustrators mined popular culture in the conjuring of imagery to compliment the drink of their choosing.
Vince Dorse of the South Hills chose to illustrate a recipe for a Shirley Temple.
"The Shirley Temple is a classic kid's drink," Dorse says. "Since my work is geared toward the children's market, it seemed like a perfect fit.
"I seem to recall grade-school kids at weddings ordering Shirley Temples so they could play 'grown up.' I figured pushing that concept a little further would make for good comedy," Dorse says of his illustration featuring a rather inebriated little girl at a bar.
For McMurray-based illustrator Jane Popovich, the recipe she chose, "Russian Tea," and her illustration were inspired by her Russian heritage.
"When I was a child living in Russia, I loved to hear my grandma tell me old folk fairy tales," she says. "Some of these tales are well known, and some were made just for me. She used fairy tales to teach me the lessons of what is good and bad, to help each other, protect the weak, respect the elderly, know that the greedy and cruel will be punished and to believe there can always be a happy ending."
In Popovich's illustration, everyone is drinking "Russian tea." The creatures are beautiful and ugly, scary and not scary.
"The illustration teaches that looks shouldn't matter, only what is inside," Popovich says.
Then there are those who chose their subjects for purely personal reasons.
"I must confess, what inspired me to create this image is completely independent of its usage in the show and directory," says Rhonda Libbey of Millvale. "It is called 'Ego' and it is a sort of self portrait. ... Anyone can snap a picture of themselves these days and have a good likeness. I thought, 'Why not capture a spirit-me?' So, that is what I tried to do."
Thus, Libbey's angel has imaginary wings -- they are not finished, not detailed. She is showing a window into her heart, as only an artist can. And her heart appears to be pierced by a rose thorn.
"It is a mystery I will keep," Libbey says of the thorn. "But the color of the heart (red) and the space around it (white) are echoed in her eyes. She sees, she feels."
Libbey says the purple color that dominates in the background represents her "bruised ego." And as for the sword coming out of her mouth?
"It is a sword of truth," Libbey says. "It, typically, symbolizes that and strength, so we know she is saying stuff that is powerful, but may be a bit hurtful at times ... and truth is just that. Plus, if truth is a sharp thing sometimes, it might give a good reason why her heart is pierced or why her eyes are also likely red from crying."
The remaining works are just as compelling, making for a fun show, and wonderful little recipe book that you will most definitely want to add to your bar or collection.
Additional Information:'Drawing Under the Influence'
What: An exhibit of works by the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators from its new book of illustrations and drink recipes
Admission: Free
When: Through Sept. 30. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Gallerie Chiz, 5831 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside
Details: 412-441-6005 or www.galleriechiz.com
