Around the World Blog Hop!

I was recently asked by my dear friend Anna Bates (owner of the Woolie Mammoth Blog) to participate in the "Around the World Blog Hop"!

wooliemammoth.blogspot.com

Needless to say I was honored to participate.  The event is to promote a variety of Blogs from around the world that Bloggers Love!  In order to participate you must answer four questions and then select and LINK three of your favorite bloggers.

First Question~

1) What am I currently working on? 

Late summer and early fall my studios become filled with projects for clients.  I paint an average of 100 ornaments a year for clients and corporations.  I also am commissioned to paint vases, lamps and a variety of tiles for customers.  Here are a few samples that are in the studio right now.

The Front side of the Vase.

The back side of the Vase.

A Bluebird Vase

I am working on completing several "Holiday" pieces that will be completed at the end of this week.

The other part of my art world is creating and developing products for clients and customers on my NEW BLOG.

I have waited for years to do this and currently the BLOG offers over 5000 products.  I post new ones every week within each store front.  The painting collection is so large that the product development is endless. 

I want to "Thank" all of you that have brought these products into your homes and are enjoying them.  Please send photos!
 I would love to post them on this BLOG!

Question #2

2) How does your work differ from others in its genre?

My response for years has been "Its "Jenny" Art".  I was raised by artists that allowed you to explore...go outside of the lines ....and encouraged you to create your own rules.
I think that is why I have such a variety of interests.

Question #3

3) Why do I write and create what I do?

I write because I love it.  Am I great at it?  No,,, but learning...and loving it. I have written several stories that I will not share yet but I am happy that I didn't stop.
 I learned a long time ago that is what editors are for.
 My idea: Just DO IT! 

Question #4

4) How does my writing/creative process work?

I am not sure ...however ideas never seem to stop flowing in my brain.  I will be reading a book, looking at nature, listening to music, washing my hair...BANG...a LIGHT BULB goes OFF!

I also think my environment stimulates creative thinking.
Books everywhere...collections, history, and the comforts of home..
."My Nest".

The three Blogs I am recommending are as follows:

1) http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/ 

I am a needlepoint fanatic and this BLOG offers very creative ideas of using all types of thread, stiches and designs.

2) http://janetgranger.wordpress.com/

One of my hobbies for years has been miniatures. From collecting antique toys to creating miniature furniture and dollhouses I am fascinated with anything miniature,
 Janet's talent in the miniature world is incredible.  Her stitchery in such a small scale is amazing!

3) https://www.etsy.com/people/willkaystudios

The last suggestion is not a BLOG ...however the website is of my parents lovely art work that they are still creating in their eighties!  Check it out!  The two youngest people I know!!

I hope you will enjoy my suggestions and will inspire YOU to start CREATING!!

Around the WORLD WE GO!

Have a Wonderful Week!

Your Artist Friend ~ Jennifer Lake

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                                    The"Ornament Factory!"

Wow!! What a week in the "Art Studio"!  Painting ornaments for clients, and finishing several small holiday paintings to be released next week!  I guess you could say the "Art Studio" looks like a

 "Holiday Factory"!

Actually I love this time of year!  So busy non- stop and there is so much paint flying!

The wooden ornaments are all beautifully hand carved by my Dad...William Lake.  Each one is a miniature masterpiece.  I feel so much joy painting these...a project that both of us work on!

My father is a "Master" bird carver.  He carves the birds in intricate detail and then my mother Katherine Lake hand paints them. They make a wonderful team and have been in the fine arts all of their lives.  You can visit their website by clicking on the LINK: 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/willkaystudios

The ornaments are all painted to the clients specifications.  The photo above is before they are painted.  The one below shows some completed pieces from last year.

Here are just a few " Acorn Ornaments" that I completed for clients this week.  I love the "Angry" bluebird...he is NOT happy about winter coming!  If you are interested in ordering ornaments for your family contact me through the BLOG or FACEBOOK.  

Back to the studio I go! Have a wonderful DAY!

 A very Cozy Gray Squirrel

Pygmy Owl all Nice & Warm

Bah Humbug!

A Sweet Mouse Decorates for the Holidays!

The Jennifer Lake Quilt Gift Shop is NOW OPEN!

Living in Central Oregon for over 34 years you fall in love with so many things that are unique to the area.  You learn to embrace the history, nature, beauty, culture and the arts are everywhere. 

 So many of my friends are quilters, sculptors, designers, photographers, masters in stitchery and painting. I have learned so much from their talents that they have shared.

The Stichen Post during the Annual Quilt Show!

One of the MANY sculptures throughout Central Oregon.

Anna Bates is one of those dear artist friends that has mastered the "Art of Stitchery".  Her pieces are made to perfection with every stitch made and with the utmost precision. Anna has encouraged me to further my interest in fabric collage and design.  She owns the delightful BLOG called the wooliemammoth.

Click on the LINK below to check out her blog.:)

http://wooliemammoth.blogspot.com/

        

                                                         

Over the years I have been fascinated by stitchery and quilting.  However, I never made a quilt,,,just admired the talents of others!  I have painted a complete collection of quilts.  Each one took approximately 3 months if not more to produce.  Just like a real quilt the paintings take an enormous amount of time and planning the design.

A section of Summer Lavender Lemonade

I have now produced all of these quilt images on a variety of products.  Keeping in mind how I would use these products in my own sewing room...a large variety developed.  From small boxes that can hold pins to needles, pillows for decor, canisters for all those what not's we find in our studios.

A variety Wooden Box sizes to hold all those special things!

What a great notebook to take to your next class!

I had to make this for MY Sewing Room!!! So HAPPY!

I have also developed all these images into fabric that will be available in mid-October. I will make another announcement when the fabric store opens. Have fun exploring my NEW on line SHOP!

http://www.zazzle.com/jenniferlakequilt

Have a WONDERFUL HAPPY DAY!

The "Jenny Lake Holiday Store" Opens

The "Jennifer Lake Holiday Shop" is Open! I have had more fun creating all of these wonderful products. There are now over 500 products just waiting for you to review.  Taking my paintings and creating them into such wonderful gifts is a true joy. I take time to lay the paintings out keeping the best design in mind. It is fun to play with portions of the paintings to develop something totally different from the original. From greeting cards to ornaments there is truly something for everyone.

I love the holiday's and Christmas is my favorite.  The holiday's provide me endless hours of creativity from cooking to decorating. I love it all! I try to create something new every year.
  One year I took hickory nuts and drilled holes in them and strung them for a cabinet garland! I received this idea from Martha Stewart Magazine. I own a drill press so it was not as time consuming as what you think.  The strand lasted for several years! I really liked the result.

 Many of the products I have developed within the "Jennifer Lake Holiday Shop" can be used in decorating your home. From gift wrap to tiles....the decorating ideas are endless. 

Orders are already coming in for" Ornaments".  I paint less than 100 a year...so order now! 

The" Bird Ornaments" are very "Special" to me because they are hand carved by my Dad "William Lake" and hand painted by me. They come in several styles: Cardinal, Hummingbird, Bluebird, Chickadee and Goldfinch.
 The "Acorn Ornaments"  I really enjoy painting because the process is fascinating.  Each ornament is antiqued with glazes and then each client selects the image they want in the hole.  People have selected everything from Mice, Chipmunks, Birds, and Squirrels. 

I hope you enjoy shopping the "Jennifer Lake Holiday Shop"!

Have Fun!

Acorn Ornaments ~ 9" tall

Carved by William Lake (my Dad) ~ Hand Painted by ME:)

My Photography Store is Open!

For years I have taken photographs as a hobby.  Recently I spent time going through about 8500 photos and selected 100 to eventually go into a line of products.  I just completed several hundred products.

It has been fascinating selecting images that will work on products. I will keep loading more images over the next month. I just love the Pacific Ocean products. The Pacific Northwest is a true gem for photographers.  The endless vistas and scenery is amazing.  How fortunate I have been to have lived in such a diverse region.

Me...in the Oregon Outback

Here are just a few samples of the products you can find in my NEW Photography Shop.

 Have Fun and Enjoy!

Lot's of Great Shirts to wear to the Beach!

Wonderful Farmers Market Tote

Give a gift of LOVE...to that very special hiking partner!

I love these BAGS!!  So well constructed!!
Now check out the other 400 products....more arriving daily!
Click on the Jennifer Lake Photography store to see more.

The Sewing Studio is Complete!

What a joy it was this past weekend to complete my sewing studio!  With the help from a few friends it came together very nicely.  I started sewing when I was a little girl in 4-H.  The art career consumed so much of my time that it was very rare that I could find the time to sew.  What a joy to be back creating with fabric!

My NEW on line fabric store will be opening this  month.  I have had a ball designing all the fabrics.  It is endless what you can create!  The photo above shows some of the samples of my fabric!  My sewing list is HUGE! 
The sewing studio also provides me room to do my needlepoint.  My house is filled with needlepoint pillows that I have created over the years.  I fell in love with this artwork because of the detail and fine wool's.  The photo below shows a project that I have been working on for over a year.  The design is by William Morris ~England.  
Every time I find needlepoint for sale in an antique shop I just want to cry....the hours it took for that person to create! Each one is a treasure!

Needlepoint design William Morris ~ England
The sewing studio has lots of tables, interesting cabinets, baskets, antiques and of course houses my china head doll collection,  The room also shows many dolls that my Mother made for me while I was growing up!  I treasure each one.
Her wonderful artwork graces one wall.  My Mother was an advertising illustrator, interior designer, artist, teacher etc. etc. when I was growing up.  She lives with my father in northern Georgia......and they still paint and create.
The joy I felt walking into this studio to work and PLAY this past weekend was just pure JOY!
I think we all need to carve out a place to find a little fun!

                                                                                 

The Doll Room/ Sewing Studio

Artwork by Katherine Lake

                                       Happy Halloween! 

Halloween is right around the corner!  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays!

Several years ago I created a NEW collection called "Ms. Elizabeth's Day Off Boutique".
The collection is based on a story line.  "Ms. Elizabeth" is a sweet little Golden Mantel chipmunk and her best friends are " Mrs. Butter-field" the rabbit and" Rocky" the raccoon.
They go on many adventures and  enjoy their days off....hence the name of the boutique.
 The designs are designed for everyone and make great gifts for Grandmothers and for your Grandchildren.
LINK....Click Below
 Ms Elizabeth's Day Off Halloween Collection

   In the next few months the entire collection will be released.  The "Halloween Collection" was just released.

There are over "300 Halloween Products"
 to select from!

 The three enjoy all the holidays and even take a trip to Hawaii!  

I hope you will enjoy the 

"World of Ms. Elizabeth" it has been a true joy to create for all of YOU!                  

Candy Dish

Kitty Kitty Note Card

Trick or Treat Bag

Great Buttons 

Halloween Sticker of JOY!

Puzzle

"Rocky" the Raccoon Cake Topper!  See all the others!

Artist Jennifer Lake ( age 6)

              The Jennifer Lake Wild Wild West Store is Open!!

   I am so pleased to announce that the "Wild Wild West" on line store is OPEN!  My love for the "American West" is a passion of mine.  Growing up in Michigan I always watched the television shows and movies of the west.  I was so excited to move west in 1980.  A "NEW" adventure was started.

Everything was so new and fresh to me. I researched my husbands families history at local museums and the historical society.  I found information that the family didn't even know existed.  I was thrilled beyond belief when I found the original homestead. I spent hours digging in the old dumps and collecting artifacts.

   My great great uncle was George Catlin. The famous artist that was the first to depict the American Indian's of the west. None before him lived among and painted the Native American tribes of the Northern Plains. My family had several works of his in our home.  When I was in fourth grade I painted my first chief which is seen below.  The painting hung in the center of all of George's paintings.  I do believe the honor that was bestowed on me started my art career and my passion for the west.

Native American Chief (4th grade) by Jennifer Lake

I have now completed several paintings of the history of the west.  There are many more planned.  I have completed the Nez Perce Tribe at Wallowa Lake and the Oregon Paiutes in Malhuer.  The Native American pieces take a great deal of time to research and I select a story line that tells their story accurately.  

My Uncle never painted any of the Oregon tribes...so I am picking up where he left off. 

A new book ( many have been written including his own) was recently released about his life called

 "The Red Man's Bones" by Benita Eisler. 

 She explains in detail how his artwork was used to depict the Native American costumes in the movie "Dances with Wolves".  The importance of his research and paintings contributed enormously to the film.

  I feel my research and accuracy must match his.

Columbia Gorge Baskets~ Mary Hill Museum

We are so fortunate to live in a state that values the history of our region and preserves its history very well. I travel and spend time in most of the following list of museums, doing research. 

 If you have not taken the time.... take a "History Tour" and visit these exceptional museums.  

What is the most surprising thing to learn.... is how much our world has changed in just 100 years. 

The High Desert Museum, The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, Mary Hill Museum, Oregon Historical Society, The Buffalo Bill Museum (Cody), Flagstaff Hill Museum/ Baker Oregon, and the Fort Dalles Museum are just a few. The list is huge.  You can receive a complete list from the Oregon Historical Societies website.  

Enjoy my new store and treasure a little history. I will see YOU in one of our Great Museums!

Sam Hill and I at the Mary Hill Museum!