Beguiled by the Wild: The Art of Charley Harper

by Charley Harper

Large book.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Art Design

132 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1994

About the author

A Modernist artist. He was best known for his highly stylized wildlife prints, posters and book illustrations.

Reviews

[Lucretia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is simply an amazing book! Not only could I enjoy seeing many of Charley Harper's delightful nature works but also his witty comments about the species and their lives. It is punny and educational at the same time. Many years ago I met Mr. HArper at a quilt show sponsored by the Montgomery Ladies Club where my mother exhibited two of her quilts. The group had a cardinal quilt made from his design and he was there to promote their money-making project and talk about his art. He seemed a remarkable man and everyone had to have enjoyed his presence there. This book had a section of autobiographical information and another of explanation about how he executed his art. Just a treasure! This is a book I will enjoy again and again.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently became aware of the mid-century modern style graphic art of Charley Harper, and was totally captivated by it. His work is simple and elegant, and often humorous. The illustrations in this book are primarily of animals.

[Christine Turner]

Presenting more than 110 serigraphs accompanied by intriguing, pun-filled captions, this new, revised edition of Beguiled by the Wild pays homage to one of America's most beloved artists. Charley Harper (1922-2007), with his masterly use of simple geometric shapes, patterns, and vivid colors, distilled the essence of each bird, bug, otter, raccoon, or elephant he painted to its most important details. He called his style of painting "minimal realism. . . . Instead of trying to put everything in when I paint, I try to leave everything out. . . . I reduce the subject to the simplest possible visual terms without losing identity, thereby enhancing identity." Harper's approach to depicting the natural world is both sophisticated and fun. His works--especially those of cardinals and ladybugs--have become icons of wildlife art. This edition of Beguiled by the Wild comprises all of Harper's serigraphs produced from 1968 to 2007. The original text by Roger Caras and Charley Harper is joined by a new commentary from the artist's son, Brett Harper.

Subject: Wildlife art -- United States -- Catalogs

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like the work of Charley Harper, this book is for you. It is a coffeetable sized book which makes the artwork big enough to appreciate. Each piece has an accompanying, amusing and thoughtful blurb.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book of the art of Charley Harper.... words and pictures...

[Margaret M Knepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just discovered Charley Harper's art. Love it. Very interesting to see the stories behind the pictures

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic collection of the art of Charley Harper with a great introductory essay and interview with Harper himself. Full of charm and humour.

[Brian Kovesci · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO CUTE.

I didn't know Charley wrote! The little paragraphs that accompany each illustration are adorable / sobering. Love CH.

Gift from Liz <3

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by his designs, amused by his wit, and educated by his wealth of nature knowledge.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Charley Harper were still alive I would recommend that he sell his prints on etsy, because I know all my friends would go apeshit for them. Or, you know, in a gallery, because they are art.

For each one he writes a little playful description, too, and it's that safe, clever, wholesome humor and wordplay that is so comforting. And he has a total crush on raccoons.

For example:

Crow in the Snow

"Crows are black birds and blackbirds are also, but a crow in the snow is so much the more so. If you're pro-crow you proclaim his intellect, his resourcefulness, and the visual poetry of his somber silhouette on the calligraphy of the cornfield. But if it's your cornfield, you have good caws to compose creative crowfanities when he arrives. Think of it as sharecropping: he gets the grasshoppers, you get the corn, and the few ears missed in the harvest are held in, well--escrow."

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the art of Charley Harper. It's simple, fun and unique. In this book, Harper accompanies his art with text...the writing is full of puns that made me groan-out-loud, but I suppose that's part of the charm. It's wholesome humor and teaches you something about the animals that were his subjects, with a wildlife conservation edge. Had fun sharing this with my girls.

[Lydia Granda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent tribute to the art of Charley Harper. From his quirky descriptions, which add to the charm of his beautiful works to his actual pieces, it was very enjoyable. I love his simplistic rendering of natural subjects. This would make a great gift for anyone with an interest in American artists.

[Misti · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous set of designs. I wish I could get some of these reprinted as posters for around the house. Harper's graphic and bold designs take basic geometric elements and create arresting, provocative images. Beautiful.

[Emily Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charley Harper's art is amazing, and the prose to go with each piece is fanciful, flip, and thoughtful at the same time. I'm only sad this book came the same day I was giving it as a present. Definitely on my wish list!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I will keep renewing this from the library for awhile. I love him so. The first time I looked through this book was at the Comtemporary Art Center in Cincinnati, when I went to see his art right after he died. This time I had time to read him interviewing himself, which is nice.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Armadillo offspring are always quadruplets, all boys or all girls.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reproductions of the art are good, and it is a good binding. The little limericks that go along with the photos are nice. But I suspect there are some dimensions of his work that are missing.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange book, format-wise, but of course I am going to love anything by Charley Harper.

[Lindsay]

Beautiful and clever!