Charley Harper Original Paintings​

Ford Times Paintings and Collages

 

 

Over the period of late-1948 through mid-1982, Charley Harper (1922- 2007) contributed hundreds of illustrations to the Ford Times magazine, produced by the Ford Motor Company. Ford automobile dealers sent the magazine to patrons, free of charge, on a monthly basis. Harper contributed to approximately 120 issues of the magazine, from the December 1948 issue up until the June 1982 publication.

 

The original gouache and collage paintings featured here were published in the Ford Times magazine between 1954 and 1959.

 

Harper's bird imagery first appeared in the November 1954 issue of Ford Times and he became famous for his bird illustrations as a result of this publication. His work was so popular, serigraphs were produced from the original paintings and made available to readers of Ford Times. The prints are now in collections around the world.

 

Today the Ford Times images are some of Harper's most popular artwork. The original paintings Harper made for Ford Times are extremely rare, as many of the originals were discarded after the prints were made. The gouache paintings and collages on illustration board from this period are typically unsigned by the artist.

 

The style Harper called "minimal realism" is emblematic of illustration and art of the 1950's, and today his work is sought for its Mid Century Modern design aesthetic. Harper's images can currently be found on calendars, stationery, decorative tiles, greeting cards, notecards, puzzles, iPhone covers and dishes. The work is also included in several books including: The Giant Golden Book of Biology; the Childcraft Encyclopedias; Harper's own books titled Beguiled by the Wild and Birds and Words; and Todd Oldham's book CHARLEY HARPER—An Illustrated Life.