Click for My Facebook Page!
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Monday, November 30, 2015
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Friday, November 13, 2015
"Ms. Elizabeth's Peppermint World"
Oh, I had so much fun creating this new painting for the "Ms. Elizabeth Collection!
The fun subject matter and the bright vivid color combinations kept me smiling the entire time.
Painting the entire collection so far has made me feel like a kid again!
You have the opportunity as an artist to escape into an entire world of make believe.
The overlapping detail and color just pops and I cannot wait to put together the puzzles!
I always enjoy observing chipmunks because they run real fast ...STOP and all of a sudden they just do something in a moment or movement that is so comical.
If you look at all these chipmunks closely I am sure you all have seen each one act each way before.
The log cabin in the painting is a rendition of the "Ms. Elizabeth Log Home" I have been building the past year. I have completed more furniture and the roof shingles are now being added. I think now I will have to create some peppermint items for the interior.
Check out all the NEW "Ms. Elizabeth Peppermint World" Products located in the following stores:
Jennifer Lake Fine Art America
Ms. Elizabeth's Day Off Boutique
Jennifer Lakes Toy Store
Jennifer Lakes Fabric Store
Have a Wonderful Holiday Season,
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Whitney Two
After my last post about Whitney, Oregon I thought I would share with you some of the photos.
All the Black and White photos can be found in my Fine Art America store to the left of this post.
If your on your iPad type in jenniferlakeart.blogspot for the full blog.
Let me know what you think of my photographs ...especially those located in the new
" Black and White Photography" Gallery.
Gold Miners Cabin
Have a Wonderful Day!
Start Your Adventure Today!
Your Artist Friend in the Wilderness
Jennifer Lake
Old Whitney
The town of Whitney, Oregon is listed as a ghost town, located in Baker County.
It is on the North Fork of the Burnt River near the Blue Mountains and the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The town was named after C.H. Whitney. Founded as a logging town and was plated in 1900. Logging and Gold Mining faded in the area in the 1940's.
Now, a few weathered buildings remain. However what a photographers and artist dream!
I recently spent time hiking around the old buildings and the beautiful high prairie that surrounds it.
As you know I am currently painting the "History of the National Forest Service" and while I was exploring one of the homes they had several packing mules in a corral.
Standing on the front porch was a very nice man named Dave.
I asked him if he would let me photograph his mules. He was delighted and opened up his corral.
What an unexpected treat for me! Dave introduced them by name and two were very friendly!
What a photo opportunity for me. So many of the NFS paintings have mules in them! Dave was so gracious and turned them the way I needed them. The photo below is of "Ms. B". She was very friendly😊
Dave graduated from Redmond High School and he grew up in the house he and his wife live in.
He bought it back several years ago.
He lives on the high prairie all year long and packs into the wilderness with his mules.
His knowledge of the area is overwhelming. Dave's ranch is covered with his family history and he takes great pride in sharing the stories.
I could have spent all day listening to him. What a treasure!
After I left I thought to myself what a great place I find myself living in. The stories that I am discovering around each and every corner and the people that live here are a gift. Life can take us all on adventures as long as we open the door. I know I am only here for a moment of time....but I am going to keep exploring.....you just never know where the next "Painting Story" will unfold!
Thank-you Dave!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake
Monday, November 2, 2015
The Geizer Hotel
The Geiser Grand Hotel is a historic hotel located in Baker City, Oregon. The hotel was known as the "Queen of Mines" during the Gold Rush of Oregon and was described as being the finest hotel between Portland, Oregon and Salt Lake City. It houses the third elevator west of the Mississippi.
The hotel was built in the Italianate Victorian Architecture style and was designed by John Bennes. Originally named Hotel Warshauer for hotel proprietor Louis F Cook. The hotel opened in 1889. Originally the hotel was owned by the Baker Brothers and sold to Mr. Geiser in 1900.
The famous dining room boast a beautiful stained glass ceiling and is surrounded by incredible crystal chandeliers. My dear friends Rich and Kristi joined me for an afternoon cocktail and an early dinner a few weekends ago. We all wondered if those tables could speak what would they say about the people over the years that visited. I bet they all knew were the "Gold" was!
I really enjoyed taking photographs both in color and black and white. The details around every corner were designed for artists and photographers. The mahogany staircase leads upstairs to the solarium above and guest suites. The master craftsmanship was everywhere.
The intricate cut glass of the chandeliers creates light reflection everywhere. The cut glass crystals are amazing and the color. The hotel is listed on the National Historic Trust Preservation and received the
Honor Award for Excellence in Historic Presevation.
Kristi, Rich and I enjoyed lunch in the adjoining bar. Just a fabulous weekend with "Best" Friends.
Oregon is a gem....take a break and visit a location you have never been! Check out my "Black and White" photos of the hotel in my Fine Art America Store located to the left on the blog.....
jenniferlakeart.blogspot.com
Have a Wonderful Day!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake
Ceiling of the Geiser Hotel Dining Room.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Black and White Photography
What is it about Black and White Photography that now captures my imagination? Is it an escape from years of painting with such vivid colors? Or is it the detail of the shadows, image contrast and stories that just seem to appear out of no where?
The new found medium for me has opened up an entire new world for my over active imagination!!!
Yes, I will be the first to admit I have a hard time turning off my creative and imaginative brain! I hold my parents responsible for developing my creative skills and teaching me how to "see"!
I am just starting to develop this "new" found medium. I am always trying to find new ways to grow as an artist. What I have discovered the most so far is that Black-and-White photography is beautiful !
It captures shadows, depth and details that color seems to overlook. The stories just appear...questions. Who were the Cowboys that worked here in this old barn? What happened to the ranch? The shadows of the linear lines stretch and and seem to move. So many questions?
I am intrigued, fascinated ...... so here I go! What a joy life is! Would love to hear your comments. What do you think of Black-and-White photography?
Have a Wonderful Day!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer
Monday, October 26, 2015
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Olive Lake
Hello Friends,
I recently took a break from the studio and drove up to Olive Lake. The lake is located in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon. It is located 12 miles west of the old mining town of Granite. Olive Lake, originally a small natural lake in the headwaters of the North Fork of the John Day River, was enlarged early in the century by the construction of a 35-foot high dam on the Lake Creek outlet.
A pipeline diverts outflow to the Fremont Powerhouse, an old power plant which was built during the gold mining days in the Blue Mountains.
A two mile hiking trail around the lake provides beautiful scenic vistas and you can access the wilderness trails from here.
The Aspens and Tamarack Trees were spectacular! The yellow just was like the color of the sun on a hot August day. The lake is at 6000 feet elevation and the forest service road is well maintained. When you drive up the long road you catch glimpses of the wooden water pipe that actually provided the City of Baker with their water supply at one time. Deer, Osprey, Elk, and a variety of small birds were everywhere! The next time you want to find a "new" adventure visit this small jewel of Oregon!
Have a Wonderful Day!
Your Artist Friend
Jennifer
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Fall Harvest
I recently took a trip to Hood River Oregon and visited my "Oregon Sister" Susan and my Godson Jacob.
We shopped all the "Apple Orchards" and collected a variety of apples.
It was such a beautiful weekend!
The Delphiniums were still blooming and the colors were fabulous.
We shopped all the "Apple Orchards" and collected a variety of apples.
It was such a beautiful weekend!
The Delphiniums were still blooming and the colors were fabulous.
Everyone was selling pumpkins, apples cider, syrup, baskets, flowers, herbs, crafts, squash, and produce of all kinds.
Needless to say I came back to the mountain with my car loaded down. To me it's the best form of shopping!
I loved this old park bench with the pumpkins and the contrast and variety of colors!
If your an artist or just want to paint outside...the orchards provide an endless opportunity
of subject matter.
The pumpkin colors below and textures would make a great little fall painting. I also like the bright
pink of the unexpected flower. The little surprise that summer is not over yet!
The views and vistas that surround Hood River just take your breath away!
The photo below is of Mount Hood and all those beautiful delphiniums!
I always love visiting Susan because my coffee view in the morning is priceless!
I can spend hours watching the wind surfers, sailboats and giant tugs go by.
Her view is an ever changing story.
I hope you all are enjoying this wonderful fall weather! Onto my next adventure!
Have a great day!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Fall in the Wilderness
Fall is the time of year that "Mother Nature" brings out her paints!
Living in the wilderness this fall has provided an endless canvas of color.
Beauty can be found around every corner of a trail, forest service road, or mountain peak!
The past week I have spent the days hiking and photographing every place I go!
The vistas are endless and new painting compositions can be found. Needless to say not much painting was completed this past week!
I truly cannot put the camera down! Could you?
The Elk and the enormous variety of wildlife are preparing for winter.
The locals that own summer cabins are now packing up for the winter and heading home.
I have meant so many fabulous people in the past few months.
The people that have cabins up here are from everywhere and from all walks of life.
They have been so kind and helpful to me.
Less than 100 people live in the wilderness through the winter months...so friendships are forged and the thoughtfulness and their generosity is truly amazing.
I think they think I am crazy to be spending the winter here!
The years growing up in Michigan and the outdoor person I am have prepared me along with courage.
Lets face it...Life is short and without experiences and adventures....did you really live?
My son Easton (an avid outdoors man) sent me a list of all I need for the coming months.
What a list...from emergency supplies to creative cooking concepts in case the power goes out for days.
All my wood has been split and stacked...I could feel muscles that I never knew I even had for days!
The other day I ran into a bunch of chickens that sadly someone just left on the trail.
Why?
I will never know but they were very friendly and wanted to follow me.
I photographed them and they seemed to love the attention.
There were at least nine of them.
There were at least nine of them.
I called the Forest Service when I returned and reported where they were.
A very unusual site in the middle of no where!
What the "new" trail will provide for me today... I will let you know!
Have a Wonderful Day!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)