Central Oregon's own international artist Jennifer Lake celebrates her thirty second year in 2011 as a professional artist.  Best known for her detailed folk art paintings, her work is cherished by collectors worldwide.  There are over 400 paintings in the collection and more than one million prints have been sold, making her the most collected artist in the Northwest. Her history as an artist is as fascinating as her paintings.  Jennifer was raised in an artistic family that has spanned over generations starting with George Catlin (Great,Great Uncle), known for painting the first portraitures of North American Indians....his collection is housed in the Renwick Gallery located inside the Smithsonian Art Museum. Paul Ritts (uncle) ,known for his puppets on NBC in the late 60's , Katherine Lake (mother) well known Advertising Artist in the 50's and 60's and later founded the American Bird Galleries along with her husband bird sculptor, William Lake(father) and Mark Ritts, (cousin) helped develop the famous TV series Beakmans World. Jennifer's own son Easton Miller is a rising star in the culinary world in San Francisco as the Executive Chef for the well-known Melons Catering Company. 

Born and raised in the east Jennifer married an Oregonian in 1980 and ....thus her love for Oregon began. Jennifer feels Oregon is truly her home.  Since her arrival she has served on many Central Oregon Boards and committees around the state mostly dealing with Historic Preservation of Oregon. Her artwork has raised more than one and half million dollars for northwest charities. Coming in 2012, Jennifer Lake will for the first time officially launch the Jennifer Lake Foundation with 100% of all proceeds going to Central Oregon High School Art Scholarships and selected Universities in Oregon.

Her first series entitled "Celebrating New York" was released in the early eighties and has completely sold out.  The series entitled "Celebrating Oregon"®, "Celebrating Washington"®, and "Celebrating Canada"® has sold over one million copies and over 100 paintings were in the collections. These collections are now called "Chapter One". A five foot by six foot collage was completed in 2006 (shown below) highlighting every painting in the series. 

 

 

 Fuji Television and Matco Inc. sponsored Jennifer's tours in Japan in the early 90's which played a significant part in her international success. Today, Jennifer's much sought after originals can be found in many  private and public collections worldwide. The well planned, intricate original paintings can take up to three months to produce and generally are three feet by four feet using acrylic paints then... filled with life and color.

In 2003 Jennifer decided a change and a new direction was in store thus the series Chapter Two was developed. The new series tells stories that are written by Jennifer. The detail of these paintings and use of color has increased from the first series and are taking Jennifer into another level in the art world and her collectors.  When you visit her premier gallery in Sisters you cannot help but be in awe.  In each painting , Jennifer places a small character sketch of herself sitting at the easel painting the painting. In the series Chapter Two Jennifer portrays herself as a mouse sitting at the easel painting the painting.  Collectors have enjoyed looking for her signature logo for the past thirty + years.   Her daily work schedule is quite extensive.  She tries to be in the studio Monday - Friday and on weekends you can find her in the gallery in Sisters.

 "My art career has been fascinating, a learning experience with highs and lows...just like life........but I would never change a thing....what an unbelievable story I have lived" says Jennifer.  "To be able to create something from nothing and have people enjoy what you have created and the many non-profits that have derived income from it...is the greatest joy that one can experience".