About
Karen Wheat (this is my pen name) lives in Grand Haven, Michigan with her husband, Richard Meads. I am a mother of 4 children and 7 grand-children plus a graduate of Northwood University, Midland, Michigan with a degree in Executive Secretarial Science. I have travelled to American Samoa in the South Pacific numerous times, interviewing the people living there concerning my later self-published photography book: Pictures of Change in Paradise in American Samoa (circa 1910), revised 2019. I also took part in their cultural events, did research and happily lived in the village of Leone for extended periods of time. In an indegenous Samoan art class at American Samoa Community College taught by Reggie Meredith (she has a chapter in my book), I learned about the fine art of siapo (tapa design), Samoan mat making and Samoan pottery. My book published in 2016 with the original title: 'Pictures of Change in Paradise at the Turn of the 20th Century in American Samoa' is in the Library of Congress and some universities and libraries around the world. The title above stated was shortened with the same context. For the 10 year anniversary I would like to make my book into hard cover with glossy pages in which Amazon and Ingram cannot do. I received a bronze medal book award from the Non-Fiction Author's Association. I am currently searching for an appropriate publisher to convert to glossy pages & hard cover.
Featured Work
'Pictures of Change in Paradise in American Samoa (circa 1910)' pubished 2019 'Pictures of Change in Paradise at the Turn of the 20th Century in American Samoa' published 2016 (out of print).
This title showcases 55 rare historical black and white professional photographs/illustrations circa 1910 of Samoan culture, people, places and buildings plus 7 other illustrations also included pertaining to the subject matter. The illustrations/photographs include buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Register. The collection of photographs were passed down to the author by three generations of her grandmothers and an aunt saved in a lightly leather bound family photo album with short descriptions underneath. A freelance graphic designer made double negatives and enhanced each photograph in order to make digital illustrations of them. The original 'Ata Mai Samoa' 4 x 6 album rests at the Records of the Government of American Samoa/National Archives. The majority of the photos were taken in American Samoa, a territory of the United States by unknown professional photographer(s) circa 1910. The photographs also depict the forming of the new Naval Guardsman on Island known as the Fitafita made up of Chiefs (Matai) which can refer to an Ali'i or Tulafale. Taupou's and Siva Dancers are also presented within the backdrop in some instances of Pago Pago Harbor where the U.S. Naval Station, Tutuila, once resided.
