Today’s artist spotlight is on the American Modern artist, Charley Harper. He was born on the family farm in Frenchton, West Virginia, on August 4, 1922. Growing up, he not only had the farm to explore, but also the Appalachian hills, where he spent time wandering the land and observing the wildlife. This upbringing suited him well, as he was inspired by nature throughout his entire life.
Charley Harper moved to Cincinnati to study at the art academy there, where he met Edie Mckee on the first day of school, who was also a nature lover, as well as an artist, and who Harper would later marry. After graduating, he taught at the Art Academy of Cincinnati until he was able to focus solely on his art and formed Harper Studios.
He was an artist who celebrated the American landscape with a combination of earth toned and brightly colored geometric illustrations of wildlife and sea life, but he had a particular affinity for birds. Harper once described his minimalist style using the example of birds:
“When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don’t see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts; and herein lies the lure of painting; in a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.”
Charley Harper illustrated a number of books, posters, and prints during his life, most notably works published in Ford Times Magazine, posters created for national parks, and his illustrations for Golden Books. He lived until June 10, 2007, when he died of pneumonia.
Many of his prints and original works are available today at Charley Harper Studio.
