Comments on: charley harper: an illustrated life

By: Fabulous Frames & Art

Fabulous Frames & Art — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:25:56 +0000

I have to second Robin’s recommendation of Beguiled by the Wild, and there’s another book that may be of interest to Harper fans for whom An Illustrated Life is out of reach — Birds & Words, which pairs his bird illustrations with the funny, punny captions that were one of his hallmarks. Also, there is a recently released ABC book that collects various animal images in the familiar ABC format.

By: Nor

Nor — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:47:00 +0000

My favorite thing about his work is that it satisfied my scientist Mom, who is very literal about her wildlife art–if it isn’t anatomically accurate, it isn’t right. He managed to abstract animals w/out sacrificing nature’s particularity. Said scientist mom made an insanely beautiful embroidered pillow years ago, combining various Harper birds onto one bird feeder–if it hadn’t taken her a year and a day to make i would tell her to market ‘em…

By: Kiki

Kiki — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 07:14:00 +0000

I grew up in the Cincinnati area and my family doctor’s office was practically papered with Charley Harper prints. (And Robin–my mom, a former graphic designer who loved Harper’s stuff too, went back to work at Fabulous Frames right before I went to college.)

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 10:43:00 +0000

I’m from Cincinnati, and have long loved the posters Charley Harper has produced for local events and institutions, especially the Cincinnati Nature Center and Park Services (of course). The other (cheaper) book about his work, _Beguiled by the Wild_, is worth picking up if you can’t afford to spring for Todd Oldham’s. And if you’re ever in Cincinnati, stop by Fabulous Frames just to look at his work in the flesh! Very nice folks staff the place and have been handling his images for years and years.

By: anne

anne — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 06:53:00 +0000

I’m sad to hear of Mr. Harper’s passing but am pleased that he was able to experience the resurgence in the admiration of his work. Growing up in Cincinnati, I was fascinated by the posters he designed for the city’s park systemâ€”so intricate and stylized in such a unique way. He will be missed…

By: Mama Chilanga

Mama Chilanga — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 04:36:00 +0000

I *love* Charley Harper. I own several prints and they are among my most treasured possessions. His work makes me smile.

So sad to hear of his death.

I'm eager to see the book, though I'm not sure I can justify the expense right now. If any of my richer friends is reading this, my birthday is January 14 (hint, hint!)

By: sfgirlbybay

sfgirlbybay — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 03:45:00 +0000

i’m sure he would have been thrilled at 84 to have his work celebrated by the design lovers of today. it’s nice that your post came as a kind of a tribute to an art-filled life.