Neil Harpe was born in
Annapolis, Maryland. He grew up along the creeks and backwater marshes
of the Chesapeake Bay, the region where his family has lived for
generations. Swimming, crabbing, fishing and watching watermen at their
daily activities were part of his childhood and fostered an early
love of nature and the sea.
Influenced by his memories
of a way of life that seems to be rapidly vanishing, Harpe has been
drawn to portray the poetic beauty of the maritime world: graceful
skipjacks; aging fishing boats; majestic lighthouses; and the flat,
grassy marshlands that line the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.
The
unique quality of Neil Harpe’s Chesapeake Bay art results not only from
his perspective as a native son, but also his approach. Harpe's mediums
include pen & ink, graphite, oils, acrylics and watercolors. Harpe's
work is meticulously rendered and
detailed. His etchings
and lithographs are printed by the artist and many are hand colored with
watercolor washes. After completing the 4-year diploma program at the
Corcoran Gallery College of Art, Harpe went on to earn a BFA in mixed
media at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He received his MFA in
stone and plate lithography at George Washington University. Neil
Harpe’s work can be seen in numerous art galleries as well as both
private and corporate collections.
©
Neil Harpe, 2012