February 2023 Editor’s Letter

This story was originally published in the Febuary 2023 issue of Wonderful West Virginia.
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Written by Nikki Bowman Mills

In a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.
Charley Harper

One of my favorite books when I was young was The Golden Book of Biology, illustrated by Charley Harper. I hadn’t though about that book since I was in grade school, but a few years ago, I was shopping at Artistry on Main in Buckhannon when I discovered a corner of the store completely dedicated to products that used Charley Harper’s illustrations—things like coloring books, puzzles, greeting cards, and activity kits. Knowing that the store only sold items associated with West Virginia artists, I asked why. It surprised me to learn that he was a West Virginia native and that he had grown up in Upshur County. I walked out with several items and a keen interest in learning more about Harper. If you aren’t familiar with him, Stan Bumgardner’s story on page 21 is a good place to start. Since “my discovery,” I’ve become a huge fan of his art. I love the simple—almost architectural—lines. And his witty sense of humor and wordsmithing. I now own several of his prints, 50 issues of Ford Times, and Betty Crocker’s Dinner for Two Cook Book thanks to eBay and auction sites.

One of my favorite serigraphs that now graces my home is “Phancy Pheathers.” In describing this piece, he said, “The ring-necked pheasant—clotheshorse of the cornfields or haberdasher’s nightmare? What’s he wearing? White tie and tails, or short-sleeved, long-tailed, loud-mouthed sport shirt with open collar? Is it a smart art deco design, or too many colors and patterns lumped together? Is it the grandeur of silk or the gaucherie of sequins? Does it matter? A rainbow in the snow is better bromide for the mid-winter blahs than buying a new spring outfit around the phirst of Phebruary.” Isn’t that fantastic?

A few months ago, I was again in Buckhannon and walked by Trader’s Alley Arts District, and was pleased to see three vibrant Charley Harper murals, “Ladybugs Hibernate,” “Crayfish Molting,” and “Shadow Dancer” painted on the side of a building. I’m a huge proponent of public art, and this tribute to Frenchton’s native son is incredible and should serve as an inspiration to more communities around the state. If you haven’t been to Buckhannon recently, please plan a visit, and make sure you take a stroll through Trader’s Alley Arts District.

Here’s hoping that this issue serves as a “better bromide for the mid-winter blahs than buying a new spring outfit around the phirst of Phebruary!”