Vincent van Gogh's Olive Trees

Vincent van Gogh repertoire of infamous paintings includes, Starry Night, self-portraits, a series of haystacks, and a collection of landscapes. I am especially captivated with the Olive Groves series. Vincent van Gogh’s Olive Trees painting is approximately two and a half by three-foot oil on canvas work that was obtained for the MIA with the help from The William Hood Dunwoody Fund. While Van Gough painted fifteen “Olive Tree” paintings, he painted the piece found in the MIA in 1889. The first noticeable characteristic of Olive Trees is a yellow sun at the top and slightly to the right of the center. Below the sun there are many dull, dark, and daring green olive trees with long midnight blue shadows. The trees are planted in red brownish, dry, rough, earth. Behind the olive trees rests a misty, cold, light blue mountain. Van Gogh adapted impressionism and yet his artwork has a very clear “Van Gogh” style. Olive Trees is a cartoon like picture. Instead of pixels, though, Vincent uses brushstrokes. Furthermore, Olive Trees represents plenty extra than what meets the eye.

All artworks are a compilation of graphic fundamentals and ethics of purpose. In Olive Tree, adabbed landscape of Vincent van Gogh, two things stick out to the viewer immediately: a pronounced shape---a circle representing a sun---, and a rather large mass representing olive trees. The whole painting is made up of short half inch to inch strokes. My favorite aspect of this painting is the lighting van Gogh uses. In his yellow hues there are metallic like substance stirred in, which makes the sun seems to shimmer. Then lower near the ground some of the brown under the trees have the same metallic shine to it, which suggests the sun “peeking” through the trees. Interestingly enough, the shadows are too long for where the sun sits. This could be a clue to Vincent van Gogh’s process. Maybe he started the painting in late afternoon and by the time the sun had sunken and the shadows grown long he just painted what he saw. The lighting and the effects of lighting are everywhere. In addition, without a doubt the oil in Olive Trees created texture and patterns. We notice the uneven ground with fat clumps of paint. On the other hand, we observe the smooth circular heat waves protruding around the solid yellow sun. Also, a clear vantage point focused down the middle where a hidden mountain resides. From that point, a valley like path is made down the middle. To the left and right countless olive trees are rooted, giving the painting superb balance. An interesting contrast, yet small detail, is the ink black outlines of the trunks of all the trees, which create depth and establishment. From brushstrokes to the color wheel, Olive Trees presents a wonderful masterpiece ingrained with technique and essentials.

EEEEK! Research Paper?!

When I read “Research Paper”, my insides shrivel. I want to crawl in a little ball and cry. The fact is doing research is a challenging for me, and I already struggle with writing, as well as typing. It’s almost as if “Research Paper” is the rotten cherry on top. Now, I tend to be a positive person. Rarely can one tell if I’m distraught about something, because I would never speak out (or, heaven forbid, type) about my distresses. Yet, here I am doing just that. However, I refuse to let this paper get to me. Regardless of my lack of experience with writing papers, let alone research papers, I accept the challenge, though hesitantly, I might add.

After some thought, I believe I will ultimately jot my views down and study the controversial topic of homeschooling. With all my observations and experiences with homeschoolers, I can’t help thinking they’re some of the coolest people I personally know. They’re respectful, intelligent, and far from head-to-toe denim (though there are always a few exceptions…) they listen, they speak, and most fascinatingly, they LOVE to learn. So in a sense, yes, I’m passionate about what I’ve seen concerning homeschooling.

I don’t quite know how I’m going to write this, as you can tell from what I said above. I have started my paper but nothing’s solid yet. I know I will touch on the debate about homeschoolers being aloud/not aloud to join in extracurricular programs. It’s an interesting argument and I ultimately lean towards allowing them.

So, now to get to her done! 

Appeal to [insert fallacy]

After my two older brothers were shipped off to college, or as I would say shipped off to start their life, I became the oldest, the head dog, and the person in charge when my parents were out. I was terrified. I knew I didn’t want to be an overbearing sister to my two little bros. I knew I didn’t want them to hate me right away. But I also knew I couldn’t just give in whenever they wanted. Naturally they, and I, had to adjust to two less boys in the house, so in the beginning of my “reign” it easy sailing. As life went on, and months passed I soon became the most hated and most loved sister. The hardest part for me was making threats I knew I couldn’t full-fill. I pulled so many “appeal to fear” stunts: anything to make them stop arguing with each other, anything to make them help out in the kitchen, anything. Of course, the more I used the “appeal to fear” card the less and less they started to believe me. Everything was backfiring! That’s when I turned to honest “threats” that I could full-fill. I would suggest just starting there, for all you older siblings. However, it doesn’t end there. Instead of me betting on fallacies to help me out, my brothers start figuring out the fallacies. After I learned to be a steady older sister they begun the “appeal to pity” trick.
“Hannah, I really want to mow the lawn, but I’m just getting no sleep at night. I’m so exhausted. My legs cannot push a lawn mower. I can’t do it.”
Yeah right. Nice one. Better luck next time chump. You’re not saying that while your playing football with the neighbor kids.
 Needless to say, fallacies are used in everyday life whether we know it or not. Even that last sentence could be one. ;-) Is that an overgeneralization or an unsupported generalization?

Argumentative

The attacks homeschooler receive from ignorant public school children about how home education works baffles me. The number one issues homeschoolers are accused of most is antisocialism. Another issue that bugs me from a homeschool viewpoint is the rejection from public schools to participate in extracurricular activates. The way I perceive this situation is homeschoolers are in a constant fight to establish themselves. They’re antisocial yet they want to participate in extracurricular actives? That right there crumbles the public school child of their viewpoint of homeschoolers. Because who is this “antisocial” homeschooler who wants play basketball, on a team, with other kids? He must not be antisocial then, huh? I may be bias towards homeschoolers because most of my great friends are homeschoolers and some of the coolest, smartest, humblest kids I know. Please don’t judge all homeschooler for being antisocial. There are socially awkward kids everywhere in this world, even in the, (shock), public schools. There are, like wise, active kids, engaging, and chatty kids, too, found in homeschool circles and publicschools alike.

The word “homeschooler” I feel has the wrong reputation for nerdy kids with red hair and head to toe denim. Am I wrong? Maybe. Fact is, even if homeschoolers used to be like that, homeschoolers have become well-rounded kids with solid characteristics, engaging attitudes, and an wholesome education. (And if I may add, pretty snappy dressers too.) Yes, they are aware of drugs, sex, and the “big bad world.” They’re not overly sheltered and they can be pretty street smart. Homeschooler kids are just that: kids. Public schooler kids are just that: kids. Kids like to have fun, cause mischief, and laugh. One of the minor differences between the two is where they receive their education: at home or in a building.

With that said, homeschoolers are humans like everyone else. There should be no need for discrimination against homeschoolers. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with homeschool education or publicschooling education. But don’t attack either with something as common as “antisocialism.”

I don’t know if I made my point, but I hope I at least revealed some of the illogicalness that have been made towards homeschooling.

The Glass Castle

Jeannette Walls grew up with three siblings, an imaginative intelligent father when sober and a absent father when drunk, a mentally-spazzy mother when pressured and an artist when she dreamed of a better life. Childhood took them all over the west: living in one spots no longer then a couple weeks, and poverty constantly following them everywhere.

Once the money ran out for good, the family settled in Welch, West Virginia, where Jeannette’s fathers haunted family lived. Welch became the first place the Walls family did not leave after a couple of weeks of residing there. However, Welch was not good to the children for a long time. For years the parents gradually started to neglect their children, and the children started surviving on their own. Finally, when they started coming of age, and only then, did the children escape Welch and it’s horrors to New York. With the parents behind them, for now, they we’re able to grow and make something of their dreams!

The Glass Castle will remain an affecting and effectible read for years to come. Throughout the book Jeannette Walls, the author, remains honest and blunt about her childhood and rough experiences that protruded from it. Her heart expresses itself boldly in ink and words. The emotion Walls pulls out of the closet in your soul is masterfully done. The time you put in and the thoughts you pull out from this book will be to your avail. The things you will be reminded of or have never thought of will surface. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be furious, you’ll be relieved. The Glass Castle is one of a kind that deserves your focus.

Body Art

I have mixed thoughts on tattoos, implants, and piercings. I believe they are a great use to brand one self, to make one self unique from others. I personally have several piercings and will be getting a tattoo soon. Why? I enjoy the look of tiny simple piercings and I’m getting a tattoo of a verse that will serve as a personal reminder. On the other hand, I think all three can be abused. Where the lines cross for me is when people get tattoos, implants, and piercings that actually change their original appearance on their face.

For an example, these men:

        I actually think changes like this should be illegal for one main reason: as silly as it sounds, getting this is type of transformation done after committing a crime or such makes it easy to hide in plain view. And then personally, I think it’s a little scary and unnecessary.

I’m not saying all tattoo, implants, and piecing’s are horrible.

Like these guys and gal:

 

They aren’t as mutated as the other guys and it’s still unique. I have to wonder what the purpose was of these individuals paying the price and pain to change or decorate their body. Maybe it’s just as simple as standing out and being unique. But maybe it’s disconnecting from one’s past, family, or hurts. It could be rebellion. It could be using your body as a canvas for you artist flow. It could be an act of fitting in with the rest of the world. Or maybe they actually enjoy the look; this is possible. 

With all this said, we have the right to do whatever we like with our body. But we should always ask the question, “why?” before we make permanent, or physical changes.

The Windy City

For my lovely ten days of Spring Break, I will be embarking on my first adventure as an adult. A round trip consisting of 858 miles, car travel time totaling about sixteen hours, and three different locations are on the menu. Thankfully my mother is along for this exciting “outing.” The final destination is begging me to get there already!

The first leg of our trip is to a small town close to Madison, Wisconsin called Middleton. Though we will not staying longer then a day and night, it will be good to mingle with my grandparents and great-grandmother, 96, for some quality time. However, many miles will await us, and we’ll be back on the road in no time. Are final target waits!

Leg two: Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. My dear older brother, Nathan, schools there and it’s my chance to experience some hands on classes with him for we are similar in education tastes. Also, funny enough, my best friend, Allie, also attends Trinity. Unusually when I visit we take rotten fruit and slingshot them as far as possible and/or walk around the lake and/or visit the Oasis, a bridge filled with restaurants. From hanging with Allie to learning with the brother, my time will last a couple of days with them. But finally, my real objective is to come.

Leg three brings us to the one and only, drum roll, please, Chicago. I will have arrived at my goal. From the wind to the skyscrapers, to school shopping to clothes shopping, from deep fried pizza to chill dogs, from science museums to art galleries, my heart will be resting in bliss. Happiness will belong to me. Peace will seek only myself. My mind will rest. I will walk and talk, photograph the poor and young, the wealth and old, I will sketch and paint, dreaming all along. Chicago is my city: the city of beauty and life. For three wonderful days I will reside in The Windy City. Joy will be mine.

Such gloom will drag me from my contentment. For however long happiness last it will end. The journey home will come, and my heart will sink. The only thing that will keep me from sinking into the pits of despair will be the joy of planning another trip: my trip to California. But that’s for another time. Here I come Chicago!