Neil Harpe artist

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neil_harpe

A few years ago I made this ukulele. I decided to A few years ago I made this ukulele. I decided to decorate it with an undersea motif. The subject I chose was the majestic and critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle. I don't actually play ukulele, If there's any uke players who would like a piece of musical artwork, it is available.
"Hurricanes Rule", a watercolor commissioned durin "Hurricanes Rule", a watercolor commissioned during the pandemic by Dr. Mark Hubble, whose family members flew for the RAF during WWII. He sent me the following: 
A friend saw, "Hurricanes Rule!' He wrote me this note. "Now this is a painting with a story behind it.
First, the artwork itself. The composition is wonderfully dramatic. The viewer is placed almost beneath the lead Hurricane, looking upward so that its broad wings dominate the frame. That perspective gives the aircraft tremendous presence. The eye then follows the second Hurricane into the action below, where the smoking German fighter is already mortally wounded, its nose dropping toward the Channel. The white cliffs immediately establish the setting as southern England without needing a caption.
The color choices are restrained. Rather than celebrating combat, they lend the piece an almost documentary quality. Even the fire from the stricken aircraft is subdued enough that the painting doesn't become theatrical.
What I especially like is that the artist resisted clutter. Three aircraft, sea, cliffs, sky—and nothing more. The story is instantly legible.
As for the title—
"Hurricanes Rule!"
That's pure fighter-pilot humor.
Most popular imagination gives the Battle of Britain to the Spitfire, and understandably so. The Spitfire is elegant and iconic. Yet the Hurricane bore the greater burden during much of the battle, accounting for a substantial share of enemy aircraft destroyed. The title reads almost like an affectionate protest from someone determined that the Hurricane should finally receive its due."
Once upon a time I had dozens of guitars, but nowa Once upon a time I had dozens of guitars, but nowadays these three guitars are all I need (he said with fingers crossed).
Here's one of my very first Mylar lithographs (cir Here's one of my very first Mylar lithographs (circa 1977): "I Ain't Got Nobody Here But Me & Myself," 27" x 19".
Yianni and Jazzee! Yianni and Jazzee!
I shot this photograph of Seven Foot Knoll Lightho I shot this photograph of Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse back in 1988. Later that same year the entire structure was moved from its location at the mouth of the Patapsco River to Baltimore's Inner Harbor, where it now resides.
The skipjack Nellie L. Byrd and a fleet of workboa The skipjack Nellie L. Byrd and a fleet of workboats at City Dock in Annapolis in the mid-1980s. This photograph, and many more black & white and color photographs I shot back in the day, will be included in a solo show at the Annapolis Maritime Museum, slated to go up in early May.
"Buy Boat, off Annapolis" - mylar lithograph (with "Buy Boat, off Annapolis" - mylar lithograph (with watercolor), 10" x 6".
This crayon on stone drawing was my very first lit This crayon on stone drawing was my very first lithograph. I discovered lithography while completing my BFA at MICA in 1972. Lithography was to become my primary medium for the next several decades.
My "new" 1964 B25-12N is in pristine condition. It My "new" 1964 B25-12N is in pristine condition. It has the original faux-alligator case and the original hangtag was still inside the accessories compartment.
Soon after earning my MFA in lithography from GW, Soon after earning my MFA in lithography from GW, Jack Perlmutter, my former professor at the Corcoran School of Art, hired me to help him set up the school's brand new lithography studio. One day Jack asked if I could print a stone created 40 years ago? I didn't really know if I had the expertise to do it, but I lied and said sure I could. Luckily, I managed to pull it off and managed to pull several proofs on Arches paper for Jack. Unbeknownst to Jack, I squirreled away a couple copies for myself as well! Much later, I learned the image on the stone was drawn by noted artist Louis Lozowick, and that the lithograph was a study for a mural of the Triborough Bridge in NYC. I have no idea how Perlmutter got his hands on it.
Two works by Washington artist Frank Wright hang i Two works by Washington artist Frank Wright hang in our dining room. Left: "Troubadours", deep bite viscosity etching, Right: "Mr. DeOro", bister watercolor. Frank was my drawing teacher at the Corcoran and my advisor in grad school at GW. Mr. DeOro was a frequent model in our drawing class.
I've been a vintage Gibson fan for years. That sai I've been a vintage Gibson fan for years. That said, I'm loving my recently acquired Taylor AD11e, seen here next to the vintage Chambers gas range in my studio kitchen.
The skipjack "Wilma Lee", seen dredging on the Cho The skipjack "Wilma Lee", seen dredging on the Choptank River in 1984. Now restored to excellent condition, she can be seen moored at the Annapolis Maritime Museum.
The skipjack Stanley Norman, with Capt. Ed Farley The skipjack Stanley Norman, with Capt. Ed Farley at the helm. The photo was taken in 1984 from the deck of the skipjack Sigsbee.
The buy boat J.C. Drewer, moored along the bulkhea The buy boat J.C. Drewer, moored along the bulkhead next to the Fleet Reserve Club, Annapolis, MD (mid 1980s).
The Martha Lewis, watercolor on Twinrocker Handmad The Martha Lewis, watercolor on Twinrocker Handmade Paper, 21" x 16".
Annapolis City Dock, the way it was in winter back Annapolis City Dock, the way it was in winter back in the day!
Two skipjacks - Minnie V and Ellsworth. Choptank R Two skipjacks - Minnie V and Ellsworth. Choptank River circa 1985
The skipjack Nellie L. Byrd and workboats fill the The skipjack Nellie L. Byrd and workboats fill the Annapolis City Dock, circa 1985.
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