Bev Doolittle’s phenomenal success has been a by-product of her desire to work hard at what she loves to do most – create art with meaning. “My love for nature, as well as man’s relationship with it, is the driving force behind all of my artwork. Painting is a growth process. By giving each of my pursuits my best effort, and by learning from my mistakes, doors have opened for me that I could not have anticipated.” For Bev, one of those doors was with The Greenwich Workshop, who produced her first limited edition print, Pintos, in 1979. It sold out at the publisher within weeks. “I am not a prolific painter,” Bev explains. “My art style prevents that. Reproducing my painting in print was the perfect answer. I was able to concentrate on my most important ideas while still having my work represented in galleries around North America as well as abroad. My relationship with The Workshop and its extended family of artists, galleries and their customers has been a joy for me for more than twenty-five years.” Nearly all of Bev’s prints have been sell-outs and five books of her art have been released.
Her first, The Art of Bev Doolittle, is truly a phenomenon, having sold over half-million copies of its hardback edition. Her second book, New Magic, continues the story of her painting career. She has since released three children’s books. The Forest Has Eyes was a hit with readers, both young and old. It was followed by Reading the Wild. Her illustrated novel for young readers, The Earth is My Mother includes dozens of drawings and paintings, four of which were released in print. Her desire to try new mediums as well as her fascination with sculpture, led to the creation of five limited edition porcelain boxes, each featuring one of her most popular paintings.
In 2004, after a five year hiatus, Bev returned to the print art in the form of original, hand-pulled, stone lithographs. With some editions set at fewer than 20 pieces, these original prints are already rare. Bev’s work reflects her love of horses, passion for the natural world and her affinity for the Native American’s spiritual relationship to the land. Her work can also be found on calendars, journals and note cards.
Bev and her husband, Jay, both graduates of the Art Center College of Design, began married life as art directors for an advertising agency in Los Angeles. Five years of living in the city made them more aware of what they were missing: the outdoors and creating their own art. “We hoarded our savings and struck out on our own, living out of our camper for a year. Calling ourselves, ‘Traveling Artists,’ we painted our way through the western United States, western Canada and Baja, California. It was a tremendous grown period for me. I not only developed my painting skills, but I discovered that I possessed enough self-discipline to paint every day.” Afterward, they displayed their work in malls and outdoor art venues. “Yes, we were ‘starving artists’ for awhile!” admits Bev with a grin, “But, we were so happy doing what we loved.” Life is full of hard choices and the path of the artist is no different. “My advice to aspiring artists is simple: paint what you know, paint what you love and always paint for yourself!” For me, success followed my passion. Passion is what drives me.” Bev, Jay and their son Jayson live close to nature in the California high desert. Joshua Tree National Park is their backyard.
Bev Doolittle S/N Limited Edition Print "The Arrival"
The first sight of buffalo ignites excitement within a party of scouts. The lives of these men and these animals are entwined together on the vast map of the Great Plains. The arrival of the buffalo will herald many celebrations. The Creator has bestowed an answer to the tribe’s prayers with a gift of rain and endless herds.
A season of provisioning begins, as the resourceful Natives prepare to utilize every part of the bison for clothing, shelter, tools, weapons and food.
A continuance of harmony and thanksgiving will propel the tribe for another year. Or, is there a storm-warning on the horizon? - Bev Doolittle
This 35" by 6" Image Size Limited Edition Print, edition size 2500, is signed by the artist.
It seems that with every artist there are works that manage to make it into private collections before they are properly documented. Some of these can, in hindsight, be rather important ones. They are known to exist, but their whereabouts are a mystery. As is often the case, in time, they somehow, some way, some day reappear.
Bev painted The Arrival in 1977 and sold it through the Carson Gallery in Denver, Colorado, her originals distributor at that time. The work’s trail ended there. Long thought lost, the painting was recently rediscovered! In the thirty-year period since its rendering, Bev has produced fifty Fine Art Editions, as well as seven books and folios of collected works, all published by The Greenwich Workshop. Until now, The Arrival remained elusive.
Available in print for the very first time, it is one of the earliest works featuring the rendering style Bev has become renowned for. Storytelling is a hallmark of nearly all of her compositions, and The Arrival is no exception. The palette and design are instantly recognizable. Both are in service of the eponymous “Doolittle narrative” which has shaped the artist’s reputation.
Storytelling through design is the hallmark of any Bev Doolittle work, and The Arrival is no exception. There is no escaping the implication of a “storm on the horizon.” Those dark clouds immediately bring to mind the Native American experience in North America. This is storytelling through design at its finest.
All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered (S/N) by the artist. Limited Edition prints are restricted to a certain number. For example, if 400 prints are made from an original painting, once they’re gone, that’s it. There is no limit to the number of open edition prints of a particular painting. That’s why Limited Edition prints are more expensive — and more valuable to collectors — than "open" edition. Rare objects are more valuable.
All Limited Edition artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain currrent as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.
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