Charley Harper: Raccoons Notecard Folio

Artist Charley Harper (American, 1922–2007) came by his love of nature while growing up in rural West Virginia. During childhood days spent exploring Appalachian foothills, Harper closely observed the beauty, habits, and natural environments of creatures large and small.

He developed his inimitable, bold style—he called it “minimal realism”—while a student at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, where he also taught for many years, and the Art Students League of New York. Through his distinctive use of simple shapes, geometric patterns, and vivid colors, Harper distilled the essence of each creature, preserving only the most important details.

Harper saw the design possibilities—as well as the humor—in his chosen animal subjects. He is perhaps best known for his birds, particularly cardinals, but some of the raccoon bandits in this notecard folio may steal your heart.

Harper’s paintings have charmed animal and art lovers for six decades. A lifelong conservationist, Harper created posters for the National Park Service, the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and other conservation organizations.

Contains 5 each of the following notecards:
Raccpack
Watermelon Moon