Artistry In Motion
Hip to our love of midcentury art, friends of ours gave us a cool Christmas gift: Tin Lizzie: The Story of the Fabulous Model T Ford by Philip Van Doren Stern (Simon & Shuster, 1955). While the book itself is a pretty straightforward, whimsical look back at the Model T Ford phenomenon, what really stands out here are the illustrations from the great Charles Harper. Although I’ve posted about Mr. Harper’s work before, with this particular project you can see his exquisite sense of line and motion applied to the odd non-natural subject. Who knew that car parts could appear so alive? Check it out.
Comments
Hi Matt, I appreciate that you take the time to post cool stuff like these illustrations.
They remind me a little of the illustrations in Betty Crocker's New Picture Cookbook from 1961. I'm fond of this edition. It brings back lots of memories.
Posted by: Jan | January 7, 2006 08:13 PM
Jan: In 1958 Harper did illustrations for the Betty Crocker "Dinner for Two Cook Book." Perhaps he did the cookbook you mention, as well.
Posted by: Christopher | January 8, 2006 08:30 AM
Hi Christopher. I'm not sure who did the illustrations. The title page says "Decorations by Joseph Pearson." I'm not exactly sure what that means. Could it mean Pearson set up the photo shoots or does it mean illustrations?
I Googled him, to no avail.
Posted by: Jan | January 8, 2006 12:30 PM
That horse illustration slays me. So beautiful. I'd put up wallpaper with that on it!
Posted by: Shannon | January 8, 2006 01:19 PM
Charlie Hooper has done illustrations for 1950-60's Ford Times (the Ford-owners own magazine?) too.
Posted by: David Larson | January 11, 2006 05:13 AM
David: We (Matt and I) are also proud owners of a handful of the Ford Times magazines with CH illustrations inside or on the cover. Those, along with the three signed silk screens in our living room.
Posted by: Christopher | January 11, 2006 03:00 PM
yeah, sorry bout that comment. I always get his name mixed up! (don't know where I get the 'Hooper' from?) Dad (has always been more of a GM-man, although, now he drives a Mazda, which are owned by Ford...) saved some clippings that I've uploaded to flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86847347@N00/sets/72057594076865625/
More info on the house-illustrator will come later, when I get back home next time & find the originals
Posted by: David Larson | March 7, 2006 07:39 AM
it's the online-comic http://www.elsiehooper.com/ I always mix up with Charlie Harper
Posted by: David Larson | March 7, 2006 11:15 AM