Artist Profile, Charley Harper

 

Charley Harper

 

Known for a style self dubbed "minimal realism", Charley Harper was well known for conveying the image and form of his subjects in as few shapes and lines as possible. His work is commonly featuring themes of nature, and very few man made objects, his designs of various birds and animals being his most recognized work.

This was due to his early life being spent on a farm in the country, which would go on to be the main influence of his work when he left for art college and for the remainder of his life, he would also go on to explore more of the exotic scenes that nature could offer outside of American farm life.

When asked about his style he said:

"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.^"