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Bev Doolittles 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 mans 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 Bevs 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 childrens 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 inthe form
of original, hand-pulled, stone lithographs. With some editions
set at fewer than 20 pieces, these original prints are already
rare. Bevs work reflects her love of horses, passion
for the natural world and her affinity for the Native Americans
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 year 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.
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