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The Art of Bev Doolittle
In a collection of work by one of America's greatest contemporary nature artists, Bev Doolittle's unique vision is revealed in dozens of full color reproductions of her work
160 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 21, 2019
This is a great book for your budding artist, horse lover, or artistic nature- and horse- loving puzzle solver. I remember when these books first came out and how amazed I was at their cleverness. I can now check this book out from the library and pore over the pages with my daughter. It makes for wonderful memories and a way to both ease and feed the senses, mind, and spirit.
January 2, 2020
Have looked at this wonderful book for years but never read the text. The text explains her art and life up to 1990 but then no new art, what happened to her. Her 3 million dollar house was for sale in desert in 2013, it is now 2020 and she is 72. There is a story there yet to be told. Her son is an adult too now mb
February 13, 2026
This coffee table art book is such a lovely gift. I was unfamiliar with Bev Doolittle's fine art inspired by the American West until I received this, and I am so blessed to have received it. Doolittle takes such care with her experiments on perspective, camouflage, and the spiritual woven in with nature. This is for anyone who loves horses (so many horses!), woodlands, American wildlife, and American Indians (the term used in this work).
In this book, some of Doolittle's art is shown blown up full page, some are zoomed into a particular detail, and a select few get wide foldouts. What a wonderful way to bring fine art into your home, especially if you don't have the space or funds to put any originals up on your walls. I appreciate the descriptions of how Doolittle developed as an artist and explored different subjects and categories (camouflage, spirits, etc.).
However, I only give this book 4 out of 5 stars for two reasons. The first is that the author, Elise MacLay, inserts herself too much into this biography she's writing about someone else, and the poems she writes to accompany some of the pieces are unnecessary and not on par with that which they're intended to accompany. Secondly, mention of how depictions of American Indians, especially Blackfeet and Crow, were received by those who are depicted come too little too late. MacLay says that reception was mostly positive, but she only gives the positive and only 3 short quotes at that. I want a less biased, more nuanced discussion of Doolittle's work. That not happening in this book is a consequence of it being published in 1990 and by a family friend of the Doolittle's, I'm afraid.
Even so, the art itself is absolutely gorgeous and I will be cracking open this volume to revisit my favorites time and again. Look up Woodland Encounter (1981) or Eagle's Flight (1983) by Bev Doolittle--they do not disappoint!
In this book, some of Doolittle's art is shown blown up full page, some are zoomed into a particular detail, and a select few get wide foldouts. What a wonderful way to bring fine art into your home, especially if you don't have the space or funds to put any originals up on your walls. I appreciate the descriptions of how Doolittle developed as an artist and explored different subjects and categories (camouflage, spirits, etc.).
However, I only give this book 4 out of 5 stars for two reasons. The first is that the author, Elise MacLay, inserts herself too much into this biography she's writing about someone else, and the poems she writes to accompany some of the pieces are unnecessary and not on par with that which they're intended to accompany. Secondly, mention of how depictions of American Indians, especially Blackfeet and Crow, were received by those who are depicted come too little too late. MacLay says that reception was mostly positive, but she only gives the positive and only 3 short quotes at that. I want a less biased, more nuanced discussion of Doolittle's work. That not happening in this book is a consequence of it being published in 1990 and by a family friend of the Doolittle's, I'm afraid.
Even so, the art itself is absolutely gorgeous and I will be cracking open this volume to revisit my favorites time and again. Look up Woodland Encounter (1981) or Eagle's Flight (1983) by Bev Doolittle--they do not disappoint!
June 17, 2019
Whether you are an outright fan of Bev's artwork, a closet fan, or just interested in a good story of an artist's multi-decade journey to "overnight success", you enjoy this book. I've owned it for years without reading the text, just flipping through the visuals from time to time. In that regard it has served me well but reading the backstory of Doolittle's art provided some fascinating insight and inspiration. Enjoy!
February 26, 2023
What a wonderful overview of such a talented visionary. The art in this book is worth pouring over and you can feel the emotion of the paintings come through the pages. I'm not into paintings but I may have changed my mind after reading this lovely book.
July 29, 2019
The classic hardcover gift book featuring artwork by one of the most acclaimed and collected nature artists today, Bev Doolittle.
May 20, 2020
Nice book of her art work. Love her work as it is often a puzzle with multiple layered image representations. Wish the book was printed on better paper with higher quality printing.
July 17, 2020
Love her artwork. Neat to learn a little about her as a person.
April 14, 2024
I've liked Bev Doolittle's art for years but knew nothing about her as a person. This book fills that gap.
August 9, 2021
This beautiful book, full of gorgeous paintings, was just stunning. That's the only way to describe it. Bev Doolittle's story along with the pictures made this book completely worth the money.
July 22, 2010
Bev Doolittle creates the kind of art you just have to stare at for a while. You can find new and different things the more you look. Beautifully done!
May 28, 2012
Fabulous camouflage art.
August 17, 2017
Not much of a text--but the pictures as always are enormous fun to pour over.
December 1, 2014
This book is a wonderful picture book! Perfect for talking about camouflage and Native Americans symbolism. Also for talking about how Native Americans viewed themselves as part of the the land.
January 21, 2016
Truly amazing! Beautiful artwork and well-written text.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews