The Forest Has Eyes

In The Forest Has Eyes, I want the viewer," says Doolittle, "to share the emotions of the rider, and as he does, because his life depends on it, 'read' the story in the leaves, branches, water and stone that surround him." At first glance, The Forest Has Eyes might appear to be a trick painting, but Doolittle's works must be looked at again and again, for they convey more than one message. Here we read the story of a mountain man, not easily frightened but respectful of the ways of the Indians. Passing through Indian territory, he is wary. He is also alone and alone for too long, that is when his imagination takes over, creating images and persuading us that they are real. Our eyes play tricks. Does the forest have eyes?