Autumn Train by Charley Harper
I love me some Charley Harper… His mosaic mural is one of my favorite Cincinnati finds. As much as I love his whimsical critters, I’m a city girl and, when I found out that his original Ford Times paintings have been rediscovered, I was most curious about seeing the range of subjects that he might have tackled beyond the birds, fish, and animals for which he is best known.
And, Harper does not disappoint. Where can you go in your Ford automobile? Why, to the massage parlor, of course!
Massage by Charley Harper
Mammoth Cave by Charley Harper
Grand Ole Opry by Charley Harper
Rickshaw by Charley Harper
Mess of Fish by Charley Harper
Swimmer by Charley Harper
Junk Maybe by Charley Harper
Hillside by Charley Harper
Gloucester by Charley Harper
Fabulous Frames & Art will exhibit approximately 50 of the paintings starting this Saturday, at 10817 Montgomery Rd. in Montgomery, OH. The exhibit runs through 8 Aug 09.
Department of Everyday Visualingual 
It is like a side I’ve never really seen!
Like his “Gloucester” I wonder if he ever did a “Cincinnati”? That would be cool.
These are great – thanks for letting me enjoy the exhibit from the other side of the country! I just framed one of his Cincy Nature Center prints, and it is actually refreshing to see a more balanced view of his portfolio and his sense of the larger ‘ecology’. I also framed a print from a friend in Over the Rhine… (thanks Mike!)
Yay, Theresa!
Dan, if you’re curious about Charley’s work for Ford Times, check out this excellent essay. His May 1976 cover illustration about Cincinnati is akin to the “Gloucester” image above.
BTW, some of these paintings have been made into prints, either around the time they were published in the magazine [see his Ford Times prints] or later. The above “Mammoth Cave” looks like it belongs in his “Horseless Carriage” series, but it was never published as a stand-alone print.
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Great post, Maya. I’m going up to see this soon.
@ Dan: check this out…
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I have recently come across a painting believed to be by this artist. Where can I submit photo of such to determine if indeed it’s by this artist
Oh, wow! My suggestion is to contact the Charley Harper estate to see if you can get the painting authenticated. Best of luck!
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Holy cow! These are amazing. I’ve always liked Charley Harper but this stuff takes it to a whole new level.
These are just a few of my favorites, but there are tons more. Harper worked for Ford Times for over 30 years and did all sorts of illustrations for the magazine.
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