Galena, Illinois
spiral bound $20
40 pen and ink original illustrations
Spiral bound, 8.5x9
Brief historical descriptions
Architectural notations
The Galena landmarks illustrated in this publication are looked at as being a milestone for this community. As for me, this book is a footstep of my ongoing adventure of illustrating historic Illinois architecture. I published these drawings in 1984. Since then, I have completed over 13,000 illustrations of Illinois historic architecture. I have worked in communities all over this state.
My work has changed in many ways over these thirty-seven years. I am grateful for every person who encouraged me over the years by accepting my work. I have worked in communities of all sizes. I love exploring new communities in search of significant architecture of all sizes and shapes. I love seeing workers’ cottages as much as large mansions. I have discovered commonalities and uniqueness in every historic site.
One day, I adopted a motto that says.......”Your Neighborhood Is My Museum”. Neighborhoods have so many things to tell. Especially historic neighborhoods in historic communities. And Galena is certainly an historic community.
When I was in my early twenties, I would drive through Galena on my way to Dubuque and on to Fayette, Iowa and Upper Iowa College. This was in the early 1970s. I remember pulling into town to visit the Ben Franklin Store in our Volkswagen bus, parking in front of the store to run in and buy something. Galena was just another small, old town. In just a few years, everything changed. It was a quick change to an outsider like me. Now, I would have to search for a parking space on Main Street on any given day.
But this is the way it happens. Years and years of dedication and hard work pay off. We look around, and change has happened as if a new page had turned. We don’t see the past unless we have lived it. I could not have seen that one day I would have completed 13,000 illustrations. I know the years and years of effort it took to get there. Reproducing this publication of 1984 makes the time seem like yesterday. But I know better than that.
My work has changed in many ways over these thirty-seven years. I am grateful for every person who encouraged me over the years by accepting my work. I have worked in communities of all sizes. I love exploring new communities in search of significant architecture of all sizes and shapes. I love seeing workers’ cottages as much as large mansions. I have discovered commonalities and uniqueness in every historic site.
One day, I adopted a motto that says.......”Your Neighborhood Is My Museum”. Neighborhoods have so many things to tell. Especially historic neighborhoods in historic communities. And Galena is certainly an historic community.
When I was in my early twenties, I would drive through Galena on my way to Dubuque and on to Fayette, Iowa and Upper Iowa College. This was in the early 1970s. I remember pulling into town to visit the Ben Franklin Store in our Volkswagen bus, parking in front of the store to run in and buy something. Galena was just another small, old town. In just a few years, everything changed. It was a quick change to an outsider like me. Now, I would have to search for a parking space on Main Street on any given day.
But this is the way it happens. Years and years of dedication and hard work pay off. We look around, and change has happened as if a new page had turned. We don’t see the past unless we have lived it. I could not have seen that one day I would have completed 13,000 illustrations. I know the years and years of effort it took to get there. Reproducing this publication of 1984 makes the time seem like yesterday. But I know better than that.
Barns of Mason County, Illinois
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It was back in the 1980s that I learned of the Barrell Barn of Moscow Bay. I illustrated it for my very first book. It was in terrible condition. Even though it was neglected for many long years, it stood tall in its glory, magnificently weathered through sun, through rain, and freezing Illinois winters. I never forgot the sad story that it was a witness to in 1916.
Barns of Mason County is about more than a single barn. It is a documentation of twelve other barns in southeast section of Mason County, Illinois. The book is filled with stories from those who worked and lived when barns were more than a sight along the roadside. Barns are quickly losing their importance in today's farming experience. But barns were, as many know, the center of the farmstead. Also, the book has recipes that, in many instances, have been passed from one generation to another. It is hard to imagine, but one day, this Illinois rural landscape may be without barns and with them the lore of the family farm. |
The book, available through the artist, is 128 pages, coil bound, and measures 5.5x8.5. There are thirteen color illustrations. The cost is $20. Email the artist if you are interested in receiving a copy.
David Alan Badger dabadger@casscomm.com |
Recipes by Ann Ellis
62 Pages Softcover $15.00
20 Original Color Illustrations by David Alan Badger
Maple Sirup Recipes Funk Family History
Isaac and Cassandra Funk came to Illinois in 1824. At the time of their deaths they had acquired much land, wealth, and influence. Isaac and Cassandra laid the groundwork for generations of Funks to continue their legacy. During their pioneering days, local Indians taught the Funks to make maple sirup, and that agricultural legacy continues to this very day. Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup has stood the test of time. This publication tells of that legacy and much more. Ann Ellis, a creative cook and creator of recipes, has developed maple sirup recipes for this publication. She has carefully crafted these recipes through trial and error and through research. Funks Grove is not only an historic site. It is a space on the Illinois prairie on which the fabled Route 66 runs through. It is a space where descendants of Isaac and Cassandra work the soil and preserve the land for future generations to enjoy.
Published Works: I started publishing my drawings in books in 1983. I began another publishing venture in 1995 using drawings from these books. |
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The Illinois Architectural & Historical Review And then, for about 10 years, I published a magazine using drawings from the above listed books as subject material. That is when I really got to know Illinois. I didn't do a lot of drawing then, mostly just sold advertising for the magazine. I missed drawing and publishing books. |
In 2005, I began to publish my drawings in book form again.
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Over the years I have published books for other businesses. In particular, recipe books. I have discovered that using my drawings of historical architecture and featuring recipes is a real good way to continue my publishing venture. I have discovered that one good idea brings on another good idea. Recently while doing some research online, I discovered architecture in Illinois that is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Now I am considering publishing, by county, books of drawings of those sites. |