AMMO BOOKS has recently published a series of wonderful books for children (the adults will want them too!) based on the design of Charley Harper, a Cincinnati based American Modernist artist (August 4, 1922-June 10, 2007) . He was best known for his highly stylized wildlife prints, posters and book illustrations. Born in
Frenchton (not
Frenchtown!), West Virginia in 1922, Harper's upbringing on his family farm influenced his work to his last days. While at the Academy, and supposedly on the first day, Charley met fellow artist Edie
Mckee, whom he would marry shortly after graduation in 1947. Charley Harper returned to the Art Academy of Cincinnati as a teacher and also worked for a commercial firm before working on his own. He and his wife worked out of their
Roselawn and
Finneytown homes, and later, with their only child Brett Harper, formed Harper Studios. During his career, Charley Harper illustrated numerous books, notably
The Golden Book of Biology, magazines such as
Ford Times, as well as many prints, posters, and other works. As his subjects are namely natural, with birds prominently featured, Charley often created works for many nature-based organizations. Charley Harper passed away on Sunday June 10, 2007 after contending with pneumonia for some months.In a style he called "minimal realism", Charley Harper captured the essence of his subjects with the fewest possible visual elements. When asked to describe his unique visual style, Charley responded:
"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."
The results are bold, colorful, and often whimsical. The designer Todd
Oldham wrote with Harper a very big and wonderful book that can be purchased on amazon
here. combined with the precision he exacts on rendering only the most important details, one is always left with a sense of awe." Charley, on numerous examples, also went outside the medium of graphic art and included short prose poems for the artwork he made.
Using Parker's designs for children books makes complete sense and at the same time is a strike of genius. Parents and children will adore them. The Gap and Old Navy, now carrying children books and toys, are selling the entire line of Charley Parker books and games. No french version (yet!). but the memory game can be played in any language. A great gift for all ages!
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