Framed and Matted Phil Austin Watercolor Prints for Illinois Central RR: Log Cabin, New Salem IL

Phil Austin passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2004 at his home in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin. He was 94 years old. He was a revered watercolorist and famous for his landscapes and maritime subjects.

In the 1960’s he began reaching and he traveled extensively on assignment for the Illinois Central Railroad and for United Airlines.

This is one of two watercolor lithographs that came out of that association. Presumably these were given by the Illinois Central to customers.

They are highly desirable because they work on so many levels: because they are “promotional items” they are of interest to the rail fan; for history buffs and collectors of Lincoln the prints depict locations where Abraham Lincoln live, not to mention the appeal for anyone with an interest in Illinois history.

Each of the two is framed and has a plaque mounted on the frame describing the work, and on the back is pasted another more detailed explanation.

Framed, the overall measurements are slightly over 15.5 x19.5 inches. The frames have a few nicks but they can easily be touched up. The prints can be reframed if desired.





Phil Austin 1/26/1910 - 2/12/2004





Phil Austin was born in January, 26 1910. He studied art at the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, graduating in 1933. He later spent two years in night school at the American Academy of Art in Chicago.
After erratic depression years and war years, he finally began working at Kling Studios in Chicago. After five years there he decided to free lance, which he did for twenty years in Chicago.
During that time he obtained his A.W.S. letters from the American Watercolor Society, spending all the time he could spare from commercial art doing watercolor paintings. In his last years in Chicago he was able to do watercolors for a number of clients: The Chicago Sun Times, The National Fisheries Institute, Books for Children Press, and in 1969 he was given the opportunity of doing paintings for the United Airlines calendar. Shortly after this he decided to give up his commercial work to paint full time, This he has done ever since,
He has submitted to national shows, being juried into more than 70 and winning awards in twenty percent of them. He has also taught watercolor workshops across the nation for twenty years. In the early eighties he was asked by North Light Publishing Company to produce a book on his methods in watercolor. It was titled, "Capturing Mood in Watercolor". It was highly successful and he was asked to redo it for a second edition, which was even more successful.

He loved to do landscapes - all seasons, and seascapes - all kinds of working boats. He has done two art cruises for Dilman's Art Foundation and will be doing another this October - to Bermuda.
He was honored to be one of forty American watercolor painters chosen to participate with 23 Australian watercolor painters and about 160 from the Republic of China for the opening of a new art museum in Taiwan. His painting was one of six American watercolors chosen for the museum's permanent collection.


 

Please visit our booth for additional items that may be of interest.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please read these notes:

• We are happy to combine orders to save you on shipping charges
• If you have additional information about an item or wish to share your knowledge of a particular item, we'd be delighted to hear from you.
• The grading system used by many sellers to describe their books can be, despite best efforts and intent, subjective and often disappointing. You'll only find high quality material here:  most  are new or like new. Occasionally, there's minor shelf wear or a publisher's remainder mark, but the integrity of the book's condition is unaltered.
• Our shipping charges do sometimes include costs for packaging supplies  but are modestly incorporated in the shipping charge; there is no such thing as handling or processing.
• If you elect to make an offer please note that the system does NOT  take shipping into consideration; your offer is treated as if it includes both the price you are willing to pay for the item AND  the shipping. This can result in an offer that is less than the cost of shipping the item, which I'd have to reject.
• FEEDBACK: Most welcomed, but please contact us if you are unhappy with your purchase. We have a return policy and will gladly resolve any issue to your satisfaction.
• BOOKS THAT ARE NOT RECENTLY PUBLISHED: A book described as new but published several years ago is a reference to its condition;  meaning that the book has never been used but may have minor wear from long term storage.
• We  DON’T CHARGE FOR BOOKS TO THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN THE ARMED SERVICES .  You will only be responsible for the shipping.
• REFUNDS: In general: no fuss, and no problem. Items  must be returned in the original condition within 10 days of receipt. Items that have been removed from their original sealed wrap (CDs, Books, etc that were in blister packs) will be credited at 80 % of item’s price
• LOSSES AND DAMAGE WHILE IN TRANSIT:  We highly recommend insurance and can provide it through Shipsaver and a rate below charged by the postal service. For items over $100.00 we will purchase insurance for you at no cost. You must notify us of any loss immediately however.
• INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: We are very appreciative of our international customers and realize that your costs are higher. We will do our best to help you with that disadvantage, often by discounting the item's price. We will not, however, falsify customs forms by stating that the item you have won is a gift or by stating its value at a fraction of what it really is. Please expect to have to pay customs charges and any related fees. We do not know the customs charges in your country and are in no way responsible for them.  Additionally, packages can be held up in customs and take longer than expected for arrival. Unfortunately, we have no control over that.

Please be sure you have read these statements and only purchase if you agree with them. Thank you very much for your understanding