19TH CENTURY ROMANTICISM AND TRADITIONAL RENAISSANCE ILLUSIONISM

By Suleiman G. Gathuo

Published October 10, 2011

19th Century Romanticism and Traditional Renaissance Illusionism

19th Century Romanticism

            Romanticism which was a style in art that was began during the 18^th century and spread all the way through to the mid 19^th century began basically as both an intellectual and artistic revulsion that was directed against religion and social order. It was through the art works that were created during this period that subjectivism, imaginations, individualism, nature, irrationalism and emotions were highly exalted (Blayney, 2001). Emotion was highly ranked than was reason while senses also had an upper hand at the expense of intellect during this period in time.

            It is due to his open attitude that was tagged on art that artist during this period in time were highly fascinated by their inner struggles which also coupled with moods, passion and nature in influencing the direction that was taken by the art work that they produced. It is from the boundaries that have been discussed above as being offered by works that were released during this particular period that works by Francisco Goya and Joseph Mallord have been exclusively analyzed in the following part of the paper.

Francisco Goya; The Third of May, 1808

            Goya used the art work to completely display his intention of exposing and commemorating the resistance that the Spanish weighed against the Napoleon’s armies during 1808 (Boime, 2008). It is due to this reason that the picture has been referred by many art analysts as the very first great piece of work in form of picture that has been successful in being a piece of revolutionary in all its aspects which are style, subject, the sense of word used and the in intention. The image which basically displays the horrors that were brought about by the war sharply diverges from the Christianity traditions and also the deceptions of war that were used in the traditional days.

            Set in the early hours of the morning, The Third of May basically is centered on two groups of men. One of them is in firing squad that has been rigidly poised while the other group of men is a group of disorganized captives that has been held at gun point (Boime, 2008). The painting which is considered to be a deception of the popular insurrection is very objective and straight in addressing the min theme and subject of the matter which is revolving around the main negative effects that were being brought about by the war. Emotions and nature have been used as the main style of romanticism to effectively communicate the main idea that Goya is fighting against in the piece of art.

Mallord Joseph Turner William; Snowstorm: Hannibal and His Army Cross

            Joseph Turner has been very effective in developing the Hannibal or the solo horn who is urging his army to go a head despite the fact that a snow storm is highly developing in the very same direction that they ought to be going to. With the snow thickening more and more as they proceed with the journey, the journey consequently becomes more arduous (Blayney, 2001). The soldiers though triumph through the difficult conditions and as has been clearly indicated in the piece of art, it is clear that a distant sunny Italy can be seen ahead. Being a perfect example of the hardships that surrounded the people during the periods, it is clear that during wars, soldier shad to sacrifice a lot for a worthy course.

            On the other hand, it is also an indication of the spirit that the leaders of the army troops ought to have while leading their troops to the war front. It is due to this that it is always assumed that the painting by Turner may have been heavily influenced by the descriptions of the trek that the Carthaginian had to Italy. As indicated in the art work, the hero who is riding on a horse has to cope with not only maneuvering the large troop of soldiers into the mountain passes but also pass through the black and thick clouds (Blayney, 2001). Nature has been clearly depicted in the art work as being both a negative and positive reinforce for the armies during the war. In this case though the troops is motivated towards overcoming the bad weather hence forge a head to meet the enemy in a successfully manner.

Artists Challenging Traditional Renaissance Illusionism

            In the European history, renaissance was a very important time in history where the mark was made for the closure of the Middle Ages and the new dawn for the Modern World. Just as the term renaissance indicates, rebirth was found in the field of art. A very broad cultural mileage was gained since more renewed interest was developing in relation to the classical arts and also the ideas of Rome and Greece during the ancient times (Marlena, 2007). Rebirth in art was being acquired at this time in history mainly because of the fundamental idea that through the study of intellectual treasures and treasures in art too that related to the Greeks and Romans, could reach people to greatness, enlightenment and wisdom in relation to the artistic works that were being formed.

            Painting art was extremely affected by the radical rediscovery of the classical world. Ancient content and forms in art were being rediscovered by this time in history and it is true to indicate that by the time the year 1500 was reaching, ancient content and forms in art had already been fully revived. Roman history together with the mythology involved in the culture were heavily borrowed in the artwork and this meant that slowly by slowly, the spiritual contents that had deeply rooted themselves in art were loosing ground. Harmonious proportion, rational postures together with realistic expressions was heavily linked with the art work that was involved in this particular period of time. Italy was the region where this form of art was heavily pronounced in the whole of Europe by then.

            Five main techniques were heavily used in the art works that were present at this particular time in history. Perspective was used in a great extent in the art works during this period as it was very helpful in making art work look more real. Foreshortening (involved drawing lines in a shortened manner with the intent of creating depth illusion) formed the other technique used. Sfumato where in paintings, sharp outlines are softened using gradual blending of a tone before leading it into the other was very integral not only in creating the illusion of depth but also helped create the 3-dimension aspect about the piece of work (Marlena, 2007). Chiaroscuro whereby a high contrast of colors was used with the intention of creating the much needed 3-dimension aspect and creating the illusion of depth was also used together with the aspect of balance and proportion. A combination of two or more of these aspects in a piece of art was what was mainly leading into the form of art that was dominant during this period of Renaissance.

            Several artists though tended to deviate from the strict guidelines of art that were prescribed by the period either in terms of the themes that they addressed or the techniques of painting that they used in their pieces of art as is indicated in the below three pieces of art.

Hieronymus Bosch: The Marriage Feast at Cana

            Bosch was by a large extent attempting to beak the rules that were basically shaping the direction taken by the world of art during this period of renaissance. As a mater of fact, artists were diverting the themes of painting away from the religious backgrounds and leaning more on the classical issues of the society. Bosch totally deviates from this aspect as the theme of the work he presents in the painting still borrows heavily from the biblical story of the wedding at Cana. The techniques used by Bosch do not do any better to promote the direction taken by art during the renaissance (Boyle, 2001). Although color has been heavily used as is the case during the renaissance, depth which was a major issue in the art works during this period heavily lacks in this particular art. The main reason though for not creating depth by Bosch is to ensure that the whole piece of art has a uniform attention as it wholly creates the desired meaning. Drawing attention to a specific point has been seriously avoided by Bosch.

Pieter Bruegel: The Beggars

            Bruegel comes in as one of the most successful artists that lived during this period in artistic history. The piece of work that comes in as a very simple but very important in the life of Bruegel indicates by far a great source of dedication to rebel against the standards that were set for the renaissance art. The theme sin the art starts off as one that is not in line with the classical mythology of the Greeks or the Romans as was to be the case in the art works done during this time. Instead he addresses the current situations of poverty that are striking the society with the sole purpose of giving hope to the less advantaged and bringing people’s attention to the real issues facing the society. on the other hand, the less use of color in his work as opposed to the much used color in renaissance art for the purpose of creating depth has been very effective in helping make the art look as simple as the possible and present the message home in the best manner (Marlena, 2007).

Van Eyck: Annunciation

            Eyck is considered as one of the greatest painters that ever lived during this particular period in time. In this painting though, she went ahead to go against the standards of art that had been set to govern artist during the time. This can be clearly seen right from the theme that he decides to address for the work. Although it is clear that religion ought not to form the themes that were preferred for painting during this time, he goes ahead to paint a biblical context. The context of the announcement to Mary by Angel Gabriel has been strategically chosen by Eyck so as to reveal the level of artistic development that had reached in the church buildings (Boyle, 2001). The Gothic and Romanesque architecture was the main purpose as to why Eyck painted the picture abusing all the standards of renaissance period where the theme and color differentiation was sacrificed.

References

Blayney, D. (2001). Romanticism. California: Phaidon.

Boime, A. (2008). Birth Of Abstract Romanticism, The: Art For A New Humanity, Rumi And The             Paintings Of Kamran Khavarani. Boston: Sybil City Book Company.

Boyle, D. (2001). Renaissance Art: A Crash Course. Chicago: Watson-Guptill.

Marlena, V. (2007). Renaissance Art. Illinois: Sirrocco - Parkstone International

N/B: All sources referenced in APA 6th Edition

Raising Self Confident Children Essay

By Suleiman G. Gathuo

Published: October 10, 2011

Raising Self Confident Successful Children

I. Introduction

             Raising self confident children to become successful, responsible and accountable adults in the future is the dream of every parent or guardian but is not an easy task and calls for total devotion. This is a very essential duty that makes major contributions to the positive development of our community and though it is a challenging task to the parents, it can be achieved. After this session, all of you will agree with me that this is something that can be easily achieved if the things I will mention here will be carried out. The Supporting Points to carry out this session are; Encourage your kids to dream big, Give them rewards and compliments for good job and punishment for bad behavior and lastly Guide them in making decisions, instill in them positive thinking and nurture their special interest. The reason why am confident as I stand before you to address this very crucial topic is based on the extensive research that I have conducted regarding this topic. In the course of this session, I am going to demonstrate that indeed it is possible to raise self confident children, if only we dedicated our time and effort to do it.

II. Review Body

A. 1st Supporting Point: Encourage Your Kids to Dream Big

It is very important that parents and guardians let their children to dream big and to fantasize on their future. One thing that you should note is that every grand idea begins with a dream. When a child dreams of doing a fulfilling job or task in the future and receives the necessary support and encouragement that is needed from the parents, inner confidence is achieved and they will live to see that the dream is actualized in the future (Biehl & Swets, 2007). A child can dream being the president of their country, or having a very brilliant career in the future and parents should ensure that these expectations are not perturbed. Showing doubts in the dreams of the child is the last thing that a parent should do because even if the child does not make to become the president of the county, they might end up being the presidents of their own companies (Carson & Cecil, 2005).

B. 2nd Supporting Point: Give the Children Rewards and Compliments for Good Job and Punishment for Bad Behavior

According to Allen & Williams, (1943), a psychologist, reward is defined as the behavior that follows a positive deed. Praise and rewards for a good deed can really do a lot in making positive reforms in the lives of the children. However, when it comes to handling of the teenagers, it is important to note that the parents should be careful in rewarding the children not to invoke a feeling of being treated as children (Dinkemeyer & Losoncy, 1996). 

In psychology, punishment is defined as ‘any aversive incentive that is carried out after a specific response with the intension of suppressing the response’. In this regard punishment can be anything that reduces the occurrence of a given behavior whether in the form of reprimand, physical pain, loss of tangibles, attention withdrawal and so on and these can be applied to ensure that the children are discouraged from getting involved in undesirable behavior. However parents should note that the sole purpose of punishment is to invoke fear on the child to ensure that the undesirable behavior does not occur again (Azoulay, 1999). 

C. 3rd Supporting Point- Guide Children in Making Decisions, Instill in them Positive Thinking and Nurture their Special Interest.

            Allowing children to make decisions regarding some occasions plays a major role in making them to be independent thinkers in future. One way of instilling this in them is, instead of asking the children what they need to do during the day, you should give them suggestions on the activities they might include in their list of activities during the day. This will encourage them to weigh their options as well as the problem solving tactics in their tender minds. In regard to assisting children to have a positive mind, it is very important to teach children on analyzing two sides of any situation that they face in their life. Every time the children are faced by a challenging situation, it is upon the parents to make the children see that they will actually make it through. To encourage them to see an opportunity of conquering in every challenge they face.

It has been proved that every time a child realizes that he or she is making some progress in their life, their confidence is boosted. When children assist parents in the various chores in the house, confidence becomes evident in the way they taught and one can notice this in their eyes. One of the advantages of encouraging children to engage in several activities is that the possibility of them developing a special interest in one is very high. Most people end up careers that they have no interest at all. This is because of lacking a good exposure in their tender age. Once the parents find a special niche, they should ensure that this is nurtured.

III. Conclusion

Raising self confident children to become successful, responsible and accountable adults in the future is the dream of every parent or guardian but is not an easy task and calls for total devotion. To ensure that this is successful, you as parents and guardians should; Encourage your kids to dream big, Give them rewards and compliments for good job and punishment for bad behavior and lastly Guide them in making decisions, instill in them positive thinking and nurture their special interest.

References

Allen, A. & Williams, E. (1943). The psychology of punishment: the new school    discipline.        Massachusetts: Allman & Son, Ltd.

Azoulay, D. (1999). Encouragement and Logical Consequences versus Rewards and Punishment: A Reexamination [Electronic Version]. Journal of Individual Psychology, 55(1), 91-99.

Biehl, B. & Swets, P. (2007). Dreaming Big: Energizing Yourself and Your Team with a Crystal Clear Life Dream. New York: Biblica.

Carson, B. & Cecil, M. (2005). Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence. New York:             Zondervan.

Dinkemeyer, D. & Losoncy, L. (1996). The skills of encouragement: Bringing out the best in yourself and others. Delray Beach, FL: St. Lucie Press.

Marshall, M. (1998). Empower-Rather Than Overpower [Electronic Version]. Teacher Magazine, 17(37), 32-36.

Improving Self Esteem

Are you depressed, unhappy, anxious and sad in life and usually get nervous around new people? Well this might be simple shyness however, technically these are signs of low self esteem. We have observed even in the Bible how some of the greatest prophets like Moses, Jeremiah and Isiah were very shy. Furthermore, this great legends that would shape our existence and walk with God somehow had low self esteem. They viewed themselves to be inferior thus inferiority complex caught up with them. Most of us today are faced with low self esteem which usually restrains us from pursuing our dreams. We fear failure and how other people will say about us that we never even attempt to try out any investment, show case our talents or hobbies which would yield untold benefits.

However, the first lesson that will make you achieve your goals is improving that dented ego. Stand in the street and just yell am great and awesome out loud. Okay let not try that angle and look into another avenue. Through this blog I will show case how to improve or steps to improving your self esteem pay attention class. 

Improving self esteem is one of the easiest and also most elusive stance that mankind has been from years closes engaged on. Improving self esteem enables us to better our lives through positive feelings. However, improving self esteem is usually inflated by low self esteem. However, when commencing on improving self esteem juncture one is bound to encounter challenges which usually leaves the party more depressed than before. Although, this should not deter one from engaging into this positive practice of improving self esteem. Improving self esteem usually is advocated because it harnesses own thoughts and beliefs power triggering change on how one feels about themselves. There is no coined theory which can attest to be the perfect manual for improving self esteem. Most psychologist and psychiatrist boast to have the perfect remedy to improving self esteem of their patients. However, the power to improve self esteem lies deep within an individual’s who is faced with this life challenge. Although the consequences assigned to low self esteem are detrimental and can have adverse effect on every facet of our life, this is not a disease. Improving self esteem is therefore considered eminent to those individuals having low self esteem. Improving self esteem does not require rigorous training or therapy buy just a receptive heart. One can improve their self esteem even with many years of harboring poor opinion about themselves. Let go through simple steps to improving self esteem to a healthier and positive one. the first simple step of improving self esteem lies in identifying key areas and condition which are stifling ones existence. These are areas and situation which usually deflate self esteem. Being able to identify them enables the pursuant of this venture to make step headway to improving self esteem. Second step centralizes on becoming in alert on own thoughts and beliefs. These come after one has identified stifling situations and condition. Then one is indicated to pay close attention to their thought on the stifling conditions and situations. The third improving self esteem step trends on challenging negative or incurable thoughts. Here is where the core of improving self esteem module really challenges many. Improving self esteem in this stage requires that one test the accuracy of their thoughts. The one is the advocated to access if their views are consistence with logic and facts and if there are other plausible explanation for the situation. Thorough our thinking when improving self esteems it is usually very hard to recognize inaccuracies. When addressing trends to improving self esteem one must pay attention to the pattern of thoughts which usually have the tendencies of eroding self esteem. The forth improving self esteem step generalizes on adjusting one thought and beliefs. Here the person pursuant on improving self esteem should now after recognizing their inaccuracies should replace negative and inaccurate thoughts with essentially constructive and positive thoughts. There are other suggestions which when improving self esteem one should engage in hopeful statements, forgiveness and focus on positive skills which can be used to combat challenging situations. The four improving self esteem trends may be viewed awkward and complex to practice. However, these steps of improving self esteem are simple once one recognizes the low esteem contributory thoughts and beliefs.            

Forex Trading Craze in Kenya

Nowadays because of the high inflation in Kenya it's populace are sourcing any means of making an extra cash to foot their bills. Then the only source of income can come from the internet for most employed personnel. Thus Forex trading has been the norm and the story in the lips of every Kenyan in the corridors of major institutions. Majority of the white color task force have either got involved or are contemplating investing in the Forex market. However, most of these elite group do not know even what Forex market concerns. However, if interested in further learning more about Forex trading in Kenya Email Gazmoth@yahoo.com

What is Forex?
Forex or foreign exchange market is usually considered as a market  where the buyers and sellers execute foreign exchange trade over the counter. Therefore, this can be viewed that Forex is a trading arena where investors are allowed to trade foreign currencies throughout the trading day. This market has the largest in the world and has a daily turnover of $3 trillion.  The primary benefit for this over the counter market transaction is mainly so that the the international trade and investment is assisted through by the means of allowing the conversion of one currency to others by businesses community. The Forex market is active 24 hours a day and  operates 5 days a week, with the value of the currencies changing throughout the day according to supply and demand level. Th Forex market is among the most secure method of investments all over the world compared to other medium of investment such as stocks options and bonds.  Just like the regular market where we buy and sell services and products Forex market centralizes on buying selling currencies. 
There are more than one hundred currencies pairs in the world which can be traded. Throughout the whole world currency rates are uniform thus if the exchange rate of the Euro in exchange with the dollar is 1.5220 in London it will 1.5220 in New York, Hong Kong and Kenya. This form of market is largely composed of "speculators" this are investors who naturally buy and sell currency in order to profit when the currency rates fluctuates. In the Forex market only 5% of the tradings are for commerce purposes such as industries, tours or development purposes, the remaining 95% are mainly for the speculators purposes. 
What affects Forex market?
The Forex market is mostly affected by by macro economic data and not as many confuses with the micro economic data. what are the macro economic data that affects Forex market? this are the templates such as the raise in the interest rate in a country, increase in the level of unemployment and increase in the country political conflicts. On the other hand micro economic data which does not affects Forex market are templates such as a large company balance report or a large business deal which a multi-billion organization is about to execute. Simply the micro economic data does not influence or affect the Forex market in any way or another. The Forex market is generally comprises of currency and commodity.
Advantages of the Forex market
The Forex market generally has two principle advantages. The first advantage is liquid. This mostly reflects on the way stocks and trades usually fluctuates depending on the companies development. However, with Forex market the currencies does not fluctuates like the stocks and the effect is usually minimal and one will not get stuck with currencies like stocks. This makes Forex market more solid as any time in time one can cash in their currencies or goods and get their money back instantly. However, in this market until one cash in their good they cannot realize if they have gained or lost. The second advantage in the Forex market there are no control of external financial buyers. The speculator as might as he or she might be in the social status they cannot be able to influence the Forex market. 

How to Open A Forex Account

There millions of agents and brokers who are willing to help you invest as well as con you your hard earned cash. Therefore it is wise to choose the best Forex trading bureau that offer demo account and free tutorial and then well make money or loose money.

After Sinai Fire (Kenya) The Government Starts Blame Game

September 12, 2011 a fire razes through the sprawling Sinai slum and razes hundreds of home to ashes leaving a massive loss of lives and property. The fire was triggered by an overflow of pure Petrol from the State pipeline main terminus.

The leakage from the depot was the sole responsible of the fire. The leakage from the main terminus after overflowing started flowing from the overflow outlet which ends up in the Ngong River that snakes through the Sinai slum. The peasants from this region upon noticing it was Petrol started collecting the black gold. However, it was in the wee hours of the morning and there are hotel fires, and road side food joints are said to be the major cause that started the inferno. At least by now more than 200 people have been speculated dead however the figure is distorted with no real figure some articulating the figure to be over 300 people. The slum is structured over the 33 year old Kenya only pipeline. Analyst have speculated that even with the Sinai fire tragedy that pipeline has extended its service life line which is supposed to be between 15-20 years. This they state that the Kenyan pipeline is a ticking time bomb, that one day it will cause unknown damage. Now more than one thousand families are left in the cold. The government instead of compensating the victims is now shifting the blame to the peasants and the insurer of the pipeline. The locals are now being house under the care of Tom Mboya memorial hall along Jogoo Road where their fate is uncertain. From the past review of how the Internally Displaced Persons cases were handled this depicts the government of Kenya lack of appropriate tool to disaster management and preparedness. The unprecedented events further dammed the government lack to facilitate for its people when the rescue missions were carried out by Kenya Red Cross Society with the help of Sinai residents. One day after the tragedy the government did not provide for the machinery required to help search for the missing person in the river. However, concerned residents were seen wading with no protective clothing in the murky sewer waters of the Gong River looking for bodies of their loved ones. Now a month is ending and the government only offers promises to the victims just like the IDP's were given false promises which were never to be till now they are living in camps in major towns of Kenya.       

 

Wangari Maathai Our Pride

Iconic Wangare Mathai Dies at 71

Kenya loses an iconic figure of environmental conservationist Wangari Maathai 71. Kenya and also Africa only female Nobel Prize Laurette Prof Wangare Maathai born Wangari Muta Maathai on April 1 1940. Wangari Maathai was a fore-runner in the fight for conservation of Kenyans forest and water catchment areas. Wangari Maathai was an environmental activist with a passion, she established the Green Belt Movement and hitched the project of the Uhuru Park garden demolition plans which would have seen the KANU regime erect their national party headquarters. Wangari Maathai fought this deal of the then incumbent president Daniel Arap Moi and won the battle which saw her go through traumatizing ordeal before the media lenses. Wangari Mathai has been also serving as member of parliament as Tetu Mp, and has served both as Assistance Minister for Environment and Natural Resources in the years 2003-2005.   Wangari Maathai would later be diagnosed with Cancer which she has been fighting for quite some time until her demise on the fateful night of September 25, 2011. Kenyan now celebrate the live of a strong woman who possessed leadership elements. Wangari Maathai has been in the front-line as an environmental activist as well as a humanitarian activist. Wangari Maathai early education was commenced at Ihithe Primary School fro her primary edification, however, she would later be shifted from this institution to St Cecilia's Intermediate Primary school. Here Wangari Maathai wopuld be converted to Catholicism and was baptized Mary Josphine she was ranked the Top girl in her class. She was later enrolled on the only girl high school in kenya Loreto High School Limuru. After graduating from high school Wangari Maathai through the John F Kennedy program termed Kennedy Airlift, Wangari Maathai was among the few lucky student that were chosen to study at American University through this charter in 1960. Through a scholarship Wangari Maathai studied at Mount St Scholastica Colle in Kansas. Later she attained her master degree in University of Pitsburgh where she first had her first environmental restoration. After completion of her studies the late Wangari Maathai would later drop her cristian name and setlle for her birth name Wangari Muta. Further development saw the late Wangari Maathai being ther first woman in East Africa to receive a PHD from the University College of Nairobi currently Nairobi University. Wangari Maathai was married to Mwangi Mathai after their encounter around 1966, later after a lengthy divorce case the two separated and got divorced in 1979. However, Wangari Maathai never dropped her maiden name and till her resting days has been known as Wangari Maathai. Wangari Maathai lived a controversial life with report from the Standard media group speculating that she had stated that AIDS was a laboratory disease created by West scientist to eliminate Africans. However, Wangari Maathai would later deny this accusation and was crowned with the Nobel Peace prize. Kenya loses of of her finest heroine that fought for the welfare of its populace. We shall miss you. You are a great pride of Africa we only hope that African politicians can borrow a rope from this great martyr  who fought for the good of the people. R.I.P Wangari Maathai