Neil Harpe artist

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neil_harpe

In 2008 I received a dream assignment! Noted jazz In 2008 I received a dream assignment! Noted jazz writer Ted Gioia commissioned me to do a series of portraits for his book, "Delta Blues".
In 1996 I began a series of graphite (pencil) draw In 1996 I began a series of graphite (pencil) drawings commemorating the prewar blues artists whose music I love. I didn't want to simply copy old photographs of them. That had already been done. Instead, I wanted to create an imaginary "moment in time", a fresh, never before seen portrait - using old photos simply as a source to gain likenesses. Over the years, some of these images have found their way to the Internet (often with no credit given). Sometimes they are even mistaken for actual photographs of these individuals!
I did this drawing depicting Mississippi John Hurt I did this drawing depicting Mississippi John Hurt, entitled "Coffee Blues", more than 25 years ago.
Back in the day, I had numerous illustration gigs Back in the day, I had numerous illustration gigs at various graphics firms around D.C. We used to call these companies: "Beltway Bandits". Mostly, I worked on boring stuff like charts and viewgraphs. But occasionally, I'd get a more interesting assignment, like this painting I did in 1983 that appeared on the cover of a brochure for NAVSEA.
"Dredging for Oysters", lithograph, 7" x 10" "Dredging for Oysters", lithograph, 7" x 10"
Twenty years ago, I was commissioned by Naval Acad Twenty years ago, I was commissioned by Naval Academy graduate John Scanlan to illustrate his book: "Dink-Gadink". Told from a humorous perspective and based on real events and personal experiences, the book chronicles a week in the life of seven plebes at the U.S. Naval Academy.
"Patent Tongs", lithograph, 10" x 7". This image w "Patent Tongs", lithograph, 10" x 7". This image was part of a suite of drawings I did in 1990 to illustrate the book "Working the Chesapeake", by Mark E. Jacoby.
"Sooks & Jimmies", Mylar lithograph, 14" x 10". "Sooks & Jimmies", Mylar lithograph, 14" x 10".
I based the design for the new mural located at 11 I based the design for the new mural located at 111 Chinquapin Round Road in Annapolis on one of my recent "Washington Color School" inspired shaped canvas paintings. (I was in Tom Downing's painting class at the Corcoran and always loved his shaped canvas paintings.)
This is a watercolor of the bugeye "Lizzie J. Cox" This is a watercolor of the bugeye "Lizzie J. Cox" that I did about 30 years ago.
My new book might make a nice summertime read, wit My new book might make a nice summertime read, with loads of pictures. Order your copy: www.foxroadproductions.org
For all the Blues and John Fahey fans! I came acro For all the Blues and John Fahey fans! I came across this receipt when I was researching an article I wrote about Holzapfel 12-string guitars for Fretboard Journal. It was never used in the article, but some might find it interesting now. Holzapfel 12-srings are legendary!
"Cotton Field Blues - a mixed media painting I did "Cotton Field Blues - a mixed media painting I did back in 2008.
Early lithographs, done in the 1970s, before I beg Early lithographs, done in the 1970s, before I began my series of Chesapeake Bay inspired images.
My lithograph of buy boat off Annapolis, My lithograph of buy boat off Annapolis,
"Buy Boat J. C. Drewer", hardground etching, 4" x "Buy Boat J. C. Drewer", hardground etching, 4" x 3".
Buy boat "J. C. Drewer" is moored at the Annapolis Buy boat "J. C. Drewer" is moored at the Annapolis City Dock in the mid-1980s.
The buy-boat "Sterling", moored next to the Fleet The buy-boat "Sterling", moored next to the Fleet Reserve Club in Annapolis, Maryland, circa 1986. Note the pile of oysters on deck!
My 1983 watercolor of skipjack "Anna McGarvey" at My 1983 watercolor of skipjack "Anna McGarvey" at City Dock in Annapolis. She was built in 1981 on spec by Melbourne Smith (designer of the "Pride of Baltimore) and Annapolis marine surveyor Fred Hechlinger, and purchased by Annapolis restauranteur Mike Ashford and his friend Walter Cronkite. In the end, she spent very little time dredging for oysters. Her name now changed to "Han Em Harv".
I shot this in June of 1986, during Baltimore's "S I shot this in June of 1986, during Baltimore's "Summer of Sail". Left to right - USS Constellation, barquentine Dewaruci (w/tugboat), full-rigged tall ship Danmark and skipjack Minnie V.
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