Featured Artist: ~ Nicholas Sironka & Seleina A Gift From God I have a God given talent. This is what I know to be true, and I feel that God blessed me with an ability to produce works (that even at times amaze me) for the purpose of making not just my life better, but that of others as well. On my tenth birthday, my parents bought me a painting book in which one page would display a full color painting, and on the opposite page it would have a black and white drawing of the same, but rather than being just a line drawing, numbers within the drawing would represent the colors. (Each color had a number and by following the codes correctly, I would end up painting as close a resemblance to the full color painting as possible.) For years since childhood I have enjoyed drawing and painting anything that came to my mind, but at the same time my culture and Christian values have been a guiding light. As a Maasai, I have been taught to respect others, above all else. As a Christian, I have never had a problem with that, as to love my neighbor automatically means a respect for others. In my art I always try to portray love and respect, and a need for the young to adhere to these values as they are "the future." I believe that art is a reflection of society, and society is what makes art. CAREER I first began commercial drawing illustrating for a local magazine in Nairobiour capital city, back in 1987. I have never had formal training in art, and my firm belief that God gave me this talent for a purpose has been my motivation and pride. My first recognition as an artist came in 1991 when I was employed as the Art Director for Jacaranda Designs (a local children's book publisher). The subsequent awards that the books I had a hand in creating artworks won, gave me even greater encouragement and faith in my work and career choice. WHY MAASAI CULTURE Our Maasai Culture has for long been misinterpreted, and at best been misunderstood by many. In 1992, I decided to quit my job at Jacquarda Designs to embark on a line of work which I thought would enhance a better understanding of the Maasai people, our traditions and culture. I decided to do this through the medium of Batik art. This is an art form that involves the use of fabric, dyes, and hot wax to create artworks. Batik art is originally from Java in Malaysia. I chose this medium because in Kenya Batik art was categorized more as a craft, than as an art form. I also wanted to change this attitude towards this art form. Every painting I make has a written narration to go with the painting, which goes further to explain the relevance of the piece to our culture. This subsequently led to an interest from individuals and institutions of learning who sought to learn not just the culture, but also the Batik making process. It is as a result of my faith in God, hard work and a need to tell the truth about our culture, that I am in America today. I teach a Maasai culture class and a class in Batik art at Whit-worth College in Spokane, Washington. I have also been fortunate to be invited to hold workshops in several schools in Spokane, and in a number of other cities in other states here in America. CONCLUSION: I hope that my life as an artist will be an inspiration to many young people who are caught between considering whether or not to take up art as a career. My advice to all young people is follow your heart and practice your faith in God the creator. I am a father of three, and married to a wonderful wife, but I do not encourage my children to follow in my footsteps (in art) just to please me, but to wisely follow their own hearts, when deciding what careers to pursue. I believe that everyone has a different gift. Everyone's gift should be directed at bringing an understanding, and love for one another by all people in all parts of the world. A Warrior's Song Maasai Warriors are well known for their beautiful, long braided hair, beaded ornamental wear, bravery, slender and athletic physique, and for their wonderful singing. The songs they sing have for ages been a means of storing information of their time, and for future generations. These songs are sung without the use of instruments, and warriors will attempt to outdo each other in high leaps which go in rhythm with the song. ~ Sironka ~ Nicholas Sironka was born in Narok, Kenya and is a Maasai by tribe. The following is only a partial listing of the accomplishments of this talented, versatile artist. Professional Highlights Worked on assignment, for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Taught Somali and Sudanese children how to portray their traumatic experiences through art. Presented an original Batik to the then First Lady of the Republic of South Africa, Merike De Klerk Friends of conservation: Known as Professor Esidai, Sironka visits Maasai elementary schools and helped children paint murals of area habitat and wildlife on classroom walls. School of Intl. Studies, Vermont: Workshops on Maasai culture and Batik art for international students on Exchange programs in Kenya. Cultural consultant: Served in this capacity, and played a role in "Saikati the Enkabaani," a film about a young Maasai girl aspiring to be a doctor. Artistic Commissions and Exhibits 1993 Kenya National Museum, Cultural Festival workshop on Maasai culture and Batik art. 1994-96 Four, one man exhibitions, including one at the British council in Nairobi, Kenya. 1995 United Nations Dev. Fund for Women: Sironka designed and crafted the peace torch, carried by African women as a sign of unity, to the world conference for women in Beijing, China. 2000/01 Art exhibits and workshops throughout Spokane WA. Koehler Gallery, Spokane Art School, Spokane Falls Community College. Awards Mcheshi goes to the Market Pan-African Book Fair Award The prestigious Jomo Kenyatta Award The Multicultural Publishers Exchange Book of Excellence Award Fulbright Scholarship Whitworth College, Spokane for the 2000/01 academic year to teach Batik Art, and Maasai culture. On the Web Information on Sironka can be found at Whitworth's site.

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