Some folks collect coins, others collect books or cocktail shakers; Jill DeGroff, author of "Lush Life; Portraits from the Bar", collects interesting faces and great tales from cafes and bars around the world. She has, in fact, drawn portraits and collected stories from hundreds of characters over the years, including bartenders, musicians, writers, artists, chefs, gypsies, dancers, pirates, and other denizens of the night!

Jill has had the privilege of pursuing her art in the company of the industry's most seasoned experts, and as a result, has gained an international following in the food and beverage industry.  In April 2008, she was the subject of a profile in the New York Times, and more recently, received praise from Dan Maurer of  New York Magazine , who referred to her "Cocktailian Calendar" as  “Yankee Stadium's Hall of Fame for mixologists.”

Drawing inspiration from the dark world of Otto Dix's post War Germany portraits, and from contemporary artists like Al Hirschfeld, and Art Spiegelman, her soulful renditions appear in industry publications here and abroad, including Theme Magazine (UK), Imbibe Magazine, Beverage Media, My Table (USA), Mixology Magazine (Berlin) and Bartender Magazine (Slovakia)

Jill is also the founding Vice President and executive director of The Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans. The exhibit features vintage cocktail shakers, turn of the century artifacts, bottles, tools, pre-Prohibition cocktail books, and memorabilia, documenting the 200 year history of the American Cocktail.

View portfolio at www.saloonartist.com .