The village of Alsip got its name from the areas first big business; Frank Alsips Brickyard. Although Alsip is now known for its tight-knit neighborhoods and large industrial community; it was not always so. Recorded area history goes back to the 1600s; when a Catholic mission stood at 122nd and Loveland Streets; and the first European settlers began farming the area in the 1800s. The historic farmhouse featured on the front cover was homesteaded by DeWitt and Amy Baxter Lane in 1835. Area maps identified this homestead as "Lanes Island" because it was surrounded by marshy swamps. DeWitts father; Joseph; opened a smithy along a busy Indian trail that passed by Lanes Island and worked until he died in 1839. The tough-as-nails pioneers featured in Images of America: Alsip drained the swampland; which gave rise to a future of fertile farming; eventually leading to the first Village of Alsip board meeting; held on April 26; 1927.
#1150759 in eBooks 2014-01-17 2014-01-17File Name: B00PAOKXDK
Review
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Skip the Kindle EditionBy Leisa Re FaloThis is not a beginners learn to draw book. The instruction is on how to take your drawing practice out in the field. Claudias artwork is beautiful. I have both a print copy and the Kindle edition. I got the Kindle edition for inspiration while traveling but the Kindle edition is worthless. The images are small and very low res. The actual book is larger than a standard sheet of paper but the digitized images are a couple of inches tall and are blurry when you zoom in. Most of the text in this book is done in Claudias calligraphic hand; so that is also part of the low-res blurry image. NorthLight needs to step up on formatting their art books for digital readers.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Good beginners overview with examplesBy sltomsikThis is not a book to win a juried competition for producing the "Great Masterpiece". The author shows you how to get out of the studio and carry a field kit to hard-to-reach geographical places. She also shows simple methods for extending watercolor with other media -- such as adding detail with ink pen or graphite. Its a reference book; not necessarily one you read page-by-page; beginning to end.Most artist who do field work "en plein-air" will carry about 20 to 40 pounds of studio equipment from the trunk of their car to a scenic landscape site. Claudia shows how to sew an apron that rolls up into a 2-pound bundle of 2 pencils; 2 ink-pens; 3 sable brushes; and six to twelve colors; with a small water-bottle. It fits in one pocket of your snow-parka for backpacking or horse-back travel. She travels extensively; and get into places most artists never see.The reader should bear in mind that a travel-journal or diary is not the same as framed-fine-art from an indoor studio. Usually; a sketch done 30 minutes before night-fall on a mountain ridge with a pocket-full of art-supplies is not going to be as fully worked as an oil-painted canvass done in-studio. Its not art you do from an easel; its art you do on your knee with minimal technique. Her field kit weights 2 pounds; mine weights about 8 pounds.Years past; if I remember correctly; the author used to explore wilderness areas on horseback; and assist in search-and-rescue for lost hikers and got into rarely seen landscapes with her art-kit; due to its light-weight. Her techniques are adapted easy transport; quick use; and adaptability to a wider variety of subjects (examples include portraits of people from different cultures; animals wild domestic; farms; landscapes; botanical specimens; garden planning; and so on).I recommend the book for explorers; archaeologists; birders; writers; wild-life observers who need to keep a visual record of their travels. Watercolor is possibly them most portable; and adaptable media for travelers and explorers who believe the camera doesnt do it all. Claudia Nice is possible the first writer to show how to take the first step. She has about 12 books in print; at various times; she was on contract as an artist with various corporations to produce illustrations for their products as well as fine-art to hang in their entrance lobbies. She has also been on retainer as instructor for manufacturers on how to use their products (ink pens).About mixing other media with watercolor; the materials she uses are the same as those used by famous masters from Art-History to extend their watercolors -- this got them barred from some respected art competitions; but they produced some exemplary art-work by combining watercolors with other media. This includes Van Gogh; delaCroix; Degas; and several others. They often added lines from ink-pens; graphite pencils; charcoal and chalk to their paintings - her mixed media examples differ in style; but shes using the same media as these famous masters used to produce museum-worthy; collectors art.Steve Lee Tomsik; Artist1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. DO NOT GET KINDLE VERSION! BUT AWESOME HARDCOVER BOOK!By SharCThe book is written mostly in photos covering the entire page of handwritten work. so with a kindle pr reader; the photos must be enlarged to view. Only anout 6 pages of 128 are type- written otherwise the remaining pages will require enlarging. tTis is awful! Kindle needs to get it together!Ii got the kindle sample; then bought the book. Te book is beautiful with a hard cover wth beautiful cloth binding and is laid on its side so to speak making the book wider than it is tall.This book has some negative reviews which are mostly about experienced artists buying this book. My attitude is that if someone is SO experienced; why do they need a book!? This is about journal drawing; use of color some beginning teaching. 2 pgs are devoted on how to make a travel journaling pack to carry into the field.the last 3 chapters are a look into Claudias own sketchbooks. Their is teaching on some texturing with watercolor; and some on sketching; getting certain effects; and use of colored pencils. The remainder is about keeping a sketch book journals as the title states. I love the book and immediately went out to buy a small hardcover sketchbook to take with me this summer when Im out camping in the wilderness. Cant wait! Thanks Claudia!
