This book is a reissue of the collectible Charley Harper classic, which pairshis beautiful paintings with poetic commentary.
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reviews
Sep 09, 2011
Myfavoritegeorgie
rated it: 
I have a small collection of Charlie Harper prints, and aspire to have more. It's wonderful to see so many of them reproduced with the stories of the birds included. Makes me want more prints NOW.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves Charlie's work, or wonderful artistic prints of birds. What a treasure Charlie was and how greatly missed.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves Charlie's work, or wonderful artistic prints of birds. What a treasure Charlie was and how greatly missed.
Feb 07, 2009
Christiane
rated it: 
Beautiful, beautiful birds! Harper described his work as "minimal realism". His bird pictures are painstakingly researched but, as he writes: "I'm probably the only wildlife artist in America who has never been compared to Audubon." Each picture is accompanied by a short, witty, paragraph about the bird. This will make a great gift book!
Dec 03, 2009
kaity
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Love love love these images. Harper actually knows birds, and it shows.
He captures real attributes of different species in a way few artists do. I often find birds in art to look leaden, or else totally mismatched to their habitat or behavior. But Charley Harper gets it right every time.
Beautiful iconic work.
He captures real attributes of different species in a way few artists do. I often find birds in art to look leaden, or else totally mismatched to their habitat or behavior. But Charley Harper gets it right every time.
Beautiful iconic work.
Jul 16, 2008
James
rated it:
Charles Harper is one my favourite illustrators. A minimal realist, he describes his avian vision as such: "I didn't see scapulars, auriculars, primaries, tail coverts, tarsi - none of that. I saw exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behaviour and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. And so I have never counted the feathers in the wings, for that is not what my pictures are about. I just count the wings."
And the result is ge More...
And the result is ge More...
Jan 28, 2009
Michael
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A little-known gem of an art book, this is a collection of nature imprints of an outstanding quality. The simple style of Charlie Harper gives the reader a wonderful feeling. A must see.
May 27, 2010
Elke
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As a bird lover, this book is just stunning. I love Charley Harper's art SOOOO much, and the stories told alongside the artwork are funny and sad and poignant. I just loved this book!
Jul 28, 2008
Deborah
rated it:
What a fantastic little book! Originally published in 1974, this collection of prints and commentary by Charles Harper was long out of print, but now it has been revived in a new edition with a warm introduction by Todd Oldham.
With a style known as 'minimal realism,' Harper captures the essence of his avian subjects without getting lost in the details. Witty remarks and observations pair nicely with his art.
I would challenge anyone who claims to loathe modern art to di More...
With a style known as 'minimal realism,' Harper captures the essence of his avian subjects without getting lost in the details. Witty remarks and observations pair nicely with his art.
I would challenge anyone who claims to loathe modern art to di More...
Dec 22, 2009
Jenny
rated it:
Charles gave this to me for my birthday, and then I read it while he was reading Consider Phlebas. I LOVE THIS BOOK. It has a bunch of my favorite illustrations, plus a few I didn't already have, plus Charley Harper's lyrical-shmyrical descriptions. Love, love, love. Read it, then read it again, I say.
Dec 11, 2008
Tara
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Beautiful art book with fascinating facts about birds of all shapes, sizes and plumage
Sep 05, 2008
Gina
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This book is one of the most beautiful books I've owned in a long time. The simplicity of his words, and the deceptively simple illustrations make this book a joy to own. Unlike a normal book about birds, this brings them to life about how they exist, rather than their stats.
If you want something that'll make you smile every time you pick it up, then get this!
If you want something that'll make you smile every time you pick it up, then get this!
Oct 17, 2008
Tina
rated it:
This is a lovely, quirky little book of Harper's bird silkscreens and other bird art. He has a great sense of humor, and some of the pictures, like the one of the chickadees with their faces turned in all different directions (including upside-down) made me laugh. A wonderful gift book for a bird lover; I'm giving it to my sister for her birthday.
Nov 09, 2010
MissJessie
rated it:
I have a small collection of Charlie Harper prints, and aspire to have more. It's wonderful to see so many of them reproduced with the stories of the birds included. Makes me want more prints NOW.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves Charlie's work, or wonderful artistic prints of birds. What a treasure Charlie was and how greatly missed.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves Charlie's work, or wonderful artistic prints of birds. What a treasure Charlie was and how greatly missed.
Sep 10, 2008
KL
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Well I have to confess I haven't read the words yet, but the birds! The beautiful birds! His illustrations are so amazing, of course. And the color combinations are just perfect.
Jun 06, 2010
Christina
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Having read the original edition, I can promise lovers of Charley Harper that this collection is some of his finest work.
Jun 26, 2008
Rachael
rated it:
Beautiful, funny, and informative. What more can you possibly ask of a book?
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