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!