Charley Harper

(4 August 1922 10 June 2007)

"When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I

don't see feathers, fur, scapulars, or tail coverts none of that. 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."

About Charley Harper Charley Harper had a unique minimalist approach and its now unmistakable. From his groundbreaking mid-century
illustrations for Ford Times Magazine and Golden Books and his posters for the National Parks and other wildlife
organizations, to his serigraph and gicle prints, Charley Harper's art is an inspiration to an entire generation of artists
and designers.
Charley Harper had an alternative way of looking at nature. His serigraphs are large expanses of rich color which give the
a very different perspective on the animal kingdom. Harper revealed the unique aspects of his wildlife subjects through
highly stylized geometric reduction. Harper said he is "the only wildlife artist who has never been compared to Audubon,"
yet his wildlife art is just as instructive - the only difference is that Harper laced his lessons with humor. Harper believed
that humor makes it easier to encourage change in our attitudes and awareness of environmental concerns.
There is a rare and delightful playfulness in Harper's artwork. Harper said, "When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I
don't see feathers, fur, scapulars, or tail coverts - none of that. 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.
Harper developed an early appreciation and love of animals as well as design. Gradually, Harper began to lose his interest
in realism. "I felt shackled by the laws of perspective and shading and decided that the constant attempt to create the
illusion of three dimensions on the two-dimensional plane of the picture was limiting to me as an artist. Realistic painting
persuades the viewer that he is looking into space rather than at a flat surface. It denies the picture plane, which I affirm
and use as an element of design. Wildlife art has been dominated by realism, but I have chosen to do it differently because I
think flat, hard-edge, and simple.
In his artwork, Harper imaginatively investigated the similarities between human and wild animal behaviors, but
completely without anthropomorphism. "I learn as much as I can about the creatures that interest me, and they all do. I
observe them and find out how they interact with each other and their environments and ask myself, 'What if?'"

Influences Harper contrasted his natureoriented artwork with the realism of

John James Audubon, drawing
influence from Cubism, Minimalism,
Einsteinian physics and countless
other developments in Modern art
and science.
His style distilled and simplified
complex organisms and natural
subjects, yet they are often arranged
in a complex fashion.

John James Audubon

Pablo Picasso - Cubism

What I think about Harper I am overly lucky to have chosen such a wonderful artist, not only is his work instantly inspirational I
personally feel it suits my current style, designing a whole city based on Charley Harpers style or
interpreting it seem now more like an adventure than a daunting task, I will be sticking to the main
guidelines and keeping things minimal and mostly still keeping to my current way of painting but
now experimenting with basic colour shapes and patterns.
Given Harper is a nature artist I could get inspiration easily for the environment no problem, just that
when it comes to designing multiple homes I may struggle, but again keeping to the basic principles of
minimalism and looking at more shapes I should be able to generate multiple ideas.
Heavily inspired by

Prints -

Resources [Online]
http://charleyharperartstudio.com
https://www.charleyharperprints.com/
shop/category/posters/