Count the Wings: The Life and Art of Charley Harper

by Michelle Houts

When you look at a bird, do you see feathers and a beak? Or do you see circles and triangles? Artist Charley Harper spent his life reducing subjects to their simplest forms, their basic lines and shapes. This resulted in what he called minimal realism and the style that would become easily recognized as Charley Harper’s. Art fans and nature lovers around the world fell in love with Harper’s paintings, which often featured bright colors and intriguing nature subjects. Harper’s love of painting and drawing led him from the hills of West Virginia to the bombed-out villages of Europe, to the streets of New York City, and to the halls of the Art Academy of Cincinnati. How did the farm boy who didn’t know a single artist become one of America’s most recognized midcentury modern painters? The answer is simple. He did it by counting the wings. Count the Wings is the first book for middle-grade readers about Harper’s life and work. Author Michelle Houts worked closely with the Harper estate to include full-color illustrations, plentiful supplemental materials, and discussion questions that will intrigue and engage young readers. Count the Wings is part of our acclaimed Biographies for Young Readers series, which brings smart, expertly researched books about often overlooked but exceptional individuals to school-age readers.

Genres: Nature, Biography, Art, Birds, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

144 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2018

About the author

"My first memory of writing was when I was in first grade. I wrote an awesome retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk using my friends and myself as the characters. I don’t think my best friend was very happy when I cast her as the giant. The person who was happy, however, was my first grade teacher, Miss Course. She was so impressed that she sent me over to the second grade teacher’s classroom to show her what I had created. I remember knocking on the door of the second grade classroom and being very nervous that all those “big kids” would be looking at me when it opened. The second grade teacher, Mrs. Bryant, made a really big deal about my story! I think I decided then and there that I wanted to be a writer. Thank you, Miss Course and Mrs. Bryant!

"Fast forward A LOT of years… I always liked school, so when it came time to decide on a career, I chose to be a teacher. I went to the Ohio State University to study special education. After teaching for several years, I went back to school for a master’s degree in early childhood education. After having three children, I went back to school again for another master’s degree in speech pathology. I finished that one in 2009. See? I told you I always liked school.

"While I was at Ohio State, I met the farmer of my dreams. I always did want to live on a farm when I was a kid. I think that’s because most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins were farm folks and some of my favorite memories are from days spent in their barns, pastures, and haymows. When you fall in love with a farmer, you move to a farm, because he sure isn’t going to move to the city! So here I am.

"Here on the farm, we are raising three kids, calves, hogs, cats by the dozens, one adorable golden retriever and a goat who believes he’s a golden retriever. But that’s another story…"

Reviews

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

With precious few books about the life of this iconic minimal realism artist, this biography for young people speaks volumes about his life and work. From his boyhood in West Virginia to his art education in Cincinnati to his wartime experience in the Army, finally settling into a relaxed rhythm of life as an artist in Cincinnati, readers will get to know this man who had a passion not only for art and his family, but also for nature and the environment.

It is evident that Houts spent as much time researching this book - both by scouring books about his life and art and by spending time with his son in his studio/home. She fully fleshes out this incredible artist who appears to have been a talented, easy-going "family man" who was able to see not only the big picture, but also the everyday details and shared his vision with whimsy and humor with the world. Filled with primary source materials such as photos and quotations from Harper and others, it is also filled with samples of his artwork is shown - several of which are public art in to be seen in Cincinnati today. Background information about things such as water striders, "V mail", highlights of Edie's art career, and author Jane Yolen's connection to Harper, extend the text and deepen understanding; they are included in sidebars and segments labeled "Did You Know?"

Houts opens the book with an Author's Note; it is well worth the time to read this first, as it sets the tone and her perspective for the book. Backmatter includes a timeline of Harper's life, a glossary of terms, acknowledgements, and sources for footnotes in the text. Also included is a bibliography of books, articles, interviews, and miscellaneous writings used in her research.

This would be excellent to use with middle school students studying WWII, in concert with Ashley Bryan's autobiography Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace (Caitlyn Dloyhy/Atheneum, c2019). The comparison of the wartime experiences of these two artists is quite stunning in their similarities and differences.

It would also be perfect to hand to 4th graders who are looking for books about Ohio authors.

Recommended for grades 4-8.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well researched, thoughtfully crafted biography of the Cincinnati artist Charley Harper. It had a good balance between the artist’s life story, where his inspiration and style came from, and examples of his work as it developed over the course of his life. Having recently read Ashley Bryan’s book about his artistic pursuits as a soldier during WWII, I especially appreciated the author’s inclusion of Harper’s years serving in the Army in Europe at the same time. This title would be good for late elementary/middle school and up. We met the author at a book fair and got a signed copy. A very enjoyable read.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelle Houts has written a good solid much deserved biography on Charley Harper, a mid century artist. The book covers his life from his earliest years in West Virginia until his death in Cincinnati. The book is aimed at middle schoolers but would be of interest to anyone. It is well illustrated with photographs from his life as well as his artwork. Artists and art historians may find deficiencies in Houts' failure to more broadly discuss his artwork from a composition standpoint as well as those who influenced him and were influenced by him.

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic introduction to the wonderfully talented artist Charley Harper. It truly is basic: it is positioned as a middle school-level biography; yet it was fun to learn more about Harper's school and Army years.

[Erin Wyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book taught me more about the artist life and family than I ever imagined it would. Made me fall more deeply in love with the art and the effort that went into it. Blessed to have found these works in my life.

[Aud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pleasant biography for kids, an easy read, has LOTS of examples of his art, which I really liked. Nicely and simply written, not a lot of details, but one feels like they have a reasonable photograph of the artist by the end. Excellent backmatter.

[Jerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A career like Charlie’s is what we all dream about.

[Terri Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Charlie Harper’s art, thus gave it a 5, because I learned more about this gifted artist and man.

[Susan Apps-Bodilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this biography of Charley Harper. I learned so much from this well-researched informational book for young readers. Readers of all ages will love it.

[Mary Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've admired Charley Harper since a Cincinnati friend started sending me greeting cards and other gifts with his artwork on it, purchased at the museum/store. Also, he was featured in a WA State Fair exhibit in Puyallup a few years ago, before i appreciated him as much as now.

I had had no idea of his past, but this wonderful book with its Ford Times covers, other illustrations such as his military self-portrait and many photos of/with his wife Edie, his 2 sisters, and around his home town of Buckhannon, WV. (where, coincidentally, the son of an old friend lives with his family.)

I could go on and on about this treasure of a book, but just VERY heartily recommend it --FOR ADULTS AS WELL!