The definitive monograph of artist Charley Harper's work, lovingly edited by Todd Oldham, is a must-have for fans of the artist.
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Jan 13, 2011
Becky
rated it: 
Spotted on Beth's to-read shelf and caught my curiousity. I was able to OhioLINK this from CCAD, and WOW, is it huge!! I always find it inspiring to see an artist's whole career brought together in a single book, complete with stylistic changes, adjustments for commercial appeal, and notes and sketches. I still think my favorite part is Harper's birds and animals, which have happily been compiled into ABC and 1-2-3 board books.
"Dearest to Charley's heart are the paintings he co More...
"Dearest to Charley's heart are the paintings he co More...
Dec 26, 2009
Hood
rated it: 
Bound Miami SunPost December 17, 2009
http://miamisunpost.com/themorgue/2009.1...
The Colors of Our Life
Todd Oldham’s Homage to Charley Harper
John Hood
With all the dark and lonely nights, the gray days, and the salt-and-pepper view of the world, sometimes a cat just wants to get uninhibitedly colorful. I don’t mean acid flashback, let’s-smash-the-kaleidoscope colorful. I mean simple, bold and ultra vivid colorful. The kinda colors we see i More...
http://miamisunpost.com/themorgue/2009.1...
The Colors of Our Life
Todd Oldham’s Homage to Charley Harper
John Hood
With all the dark and lonely nights, the gray days, and the salt-and-pepper view of the world, sometimes a cat just wants to get uninhibitedly colorful. I don’t mean acid flashback, let’s-smash-the-kaleidoscope colorful. I mean simple, bold and ultra vivid colorful. The kinda colors we see i More...
Apr 25, 2011
Benjamin
rated it:
A huge coffee table book of illustrator Charley Harper's work. Harper had a one-of-a-kind style, very geometric and stylized. His work with color was amazing and I mostly marvel at his ways of conveying information with pure visuals.
When I was in grade school, there was a copy of one of his books (the Giant Golden Book of Biology) in the library. Even though there were hardly any dinosaurs in it (there was a sweet spread of two tyrannosaurs fighting over a slain Triceratops), I checke More...
When I was in grade school, there was a copy of one of his books (the Giant Golden Book of Biology) in the library. Even though there were hardly any dinosaurs in it (there was a sweet spread of two tyrannosaurs fighting over a slain Triceratops), I checke More...
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Nov 25, 2010
jess
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This book gets 5 stars for Charley Harper's life and work, not for the manner in which Todd Oldham curates it. I mean, Oldham's efforts are adequate but not extraordinary. I have always been sort of vaguely a fan of Harper's work, in the way that you take certain aesthetic parts of your world for granted, but I have never sat down to learn more about his body of work. His birds for the Ford magazine make my heart sing. I liked the interviews and conversations between Charley and Todd, especially
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Jan 12, 2010
Christiane
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I love Charley Harper, especially his birds and animals. This is a big, coffee-table sized collection of images from his books, advertisments, paintings, and posters. He actually drew a great deal more than birds and animals. His style is whimsical without ever being too cute and sometimes has surprising bits of humor. Some of the Advertising and Promotions work is kind of crazy, such as a promotion for pineapple throughout the seasons (a glass of cut up pineapple slices next to a bluebird,
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Dec 31, 2010
Katy-Del
rated it:
I've wanted a copy of this for a while. It is a large retrospective os Charley Harper's work.
I have the smaller $50 version as opposed to the $200 edition. Aside from Charley's wonderful work, the book is on high quality heavy paper and put together really well. I don't feel gulity at all for spending all of my Christmas money on it.
Kudos to Charley Harper and Todd Oldham for putting together such an awesome retrospective.
I have the smaller $50 version as opposed to the $200 edition. Aside from Charley's wonderful work, the book is on high quality heavy paper and put together really well. I don't feel gulity at all for spending all of my Christmas money on it.
Kudos to Charley Harper and Todd Oldham for putting together such an awesome retrospective.
Mar 21, 2010
Bob
rated it:
Harper was a favorite of mine as a child. His graphic depictions -- and I mean graphic in both senses, as in the distillation and near abstraction of his work, plus the subject matter, as in his eerily beautiful depiction of piranha fish devouring a cow -- of nature are unique, elegant, minimalist and beautiful. Hats off to Todd Oldham for bringing this labor of love to press. His devotion to creating this overdue monograph is everyone's gain.
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Nov 23, 2011
Lee Anne
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I bought this book about two years ago, and until now, it's been sitting on a table in my bedroom, waiting for a time when I could look at it. I don't know what I like more: the birds, or the small woodland mammals. I hate whimsy as a rule, but Harper shows that whimsy can be a good thing; there is genuine humor and joy in many of these drawings. I loved this book, and now my bedroom will look weird without it sitting there.
Oct 29, 2009
your neighborhood librarian
rated it:
Tons and tons of Harper's animals and peoples, made out of fine lines and fantastic colors, printed up big. Things I want: Charley Harper wallpaper, a skirt printed with Charley Harper illustrations, a Charley Harper tattoo.
Sep 29, 2010
Anne
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I totally love the graphic eye of Charley Harper. Modern, sleek, mind blowing paintings, prints, and art. Birds, animals, nature, oh my!
Dec 10, 2007
Brian
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It seems like everybody's drawing animals -- especially birds, squids, and octopii -- these days. Charley Harper's 50 years' worth of animal (and other) drawings are real standouts/knockouts. This heavy, ultra-lavish book is the size of a welcome mat. Congrats to AMMO books on this neat launch title.
Sep 19, 2011
Jodi
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This is an AMAZING collection from an artist who was ahead of his time. Included is an interesting interview with the artist and a carefully curated representation of a lifetime of work. I borrowed this from the library, but will definitely buy my own copy one day.
Feb 26, 2009
Heidi
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LOVE this book so inspiring. his interview is great too, because charley harper was just a guy doing his work - work that he loved - but it want so overthought - although was so modern and unique - just feels so real and pure...which is so refreshing!
Nov 22, 2007
cat
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I happily gave this book a few days of my life and am all the happier for it. it's awesome and totally swoon worthy!
Dec 17, 2009
Darrell
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not really a read...it is a gawk...illustrations and a scrap of text...could peer at this thing for hours
Nov 10, 2011
Joanne
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Just ordered it! Can't wait to gush over lush illustrations and read about his creative genius.
