Ever since a friend got me a copy of Charley Harper: An Illustrated Life (by Todd Oldham) for my birthday, I've been totally hooked on Harper's highly stylized depictions of wildlife, which are simple in shape yet outrageously vibrant in color and composition. I'm especially fond of the illustrator's many books for children -- what better way for my nieces and nephews to learn their ABC's? I love the idea of introducing children to good design as early as possible.
Harper passed away in 2007, but you can still find original work and reproductions at the estate-managed Charley Harper Gallery.
Images: Charley Harper Gallery
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Sometimes I think I enjoy the Charley Harper books that my son has more than he does :)
Yes! I bought the "Charley Harper Memory Game" (little square cards printed with his animals one one side - like the old game "Concentration"). Mounted the colorful beauties on foam board, in a grid, then hung them in my entry hall. So bright and colorful, and inexpensive!
Oh my gosh, these are amazing! I've never heard of Charley Harper before, thank you for introducing me! Beautiful illustrations!
You might want to look at Ikki Matsumoto's work. He has a website. He worked with and was mentored by Charley Harper, he has been a commercial artist for many years and his style is close, full of whimsy.
Oh! If you like Charley Harper, be sure to check out the work of Brian Wildsmith. His animal illustrations from the 60s are so beautiful and layered!
The prints are a little out of my price range, but the vintage children's books (in poor shape) are for sale on abebooks.com and other such sites, and I'm thinking of buying some ragged ones and harvesting the art.
Here are prints of his, from the one site I've found that sells them:
http://www.illustrationcupboard.com/illustration.aspx?iId=1622&type=artist&idValue=298&aiPage=1
http://www.illustrationcupboard.com/illustration.aspx?iId=2655&type=artist&idValue=298&aiPage=3
http://www.illustrationcupboard.com/illustration.aspx?iId=2654&type=artist&idValue=298&aiPage=3
Hey, Apartment Therapy - do a story on Brian Wildsmith, would you? He's still alive, and maybe they'd release prints to the masses, if he gained some popularity outside Japan. Please? Pretty please!?
Mary
I live in Ballard and frequent Annie's Art and Frame shop which is where these posters are being sold. It's a fantastic shop with a great deal of well designed gifts, cards, local artist posters, and more. It is also VERY kid friendly, which is rare as most shops like that are not. They even have a table with toys and books for kids to play at while the parents are browsing or getting custom frame work done. These posters stopped me and my family in our tracks the other day. They are just stunning!
Thanks kraken! Just ordered the Sierra poster.