Comments on: Venezuela, part 2 http://www.ashleycecil.com/2007/03/05/venezuela-part-2 Painting with a Cause Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:07:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Loren http://www.ashleycecil.com/2007/03/05/venezuela-part-2/comment-page-1#comment-581 Loren Tue, 06 Mar 2007 18:48:17 +0000 http://www.ashleycecil.com/2007/03/05/venezuela-part-2/#comment-581 Ashley, Fantastic painting! The shadows of the trees on the lower part of the building walls also look like the stucco texturing that those walls sometimes have. Nice composition! The American Idol reference is particularly interesting in the context of your comments about the US and our involvement in politics. Sadly, the show touts a devote following that votes for their favorite singer every week without fail, yet these same "voters" are of the demographic most likely to abstain from voting in political elections. I imagine this was the dichotomy you intended to illustrate with the reference. Your insights about Americans' reputation over seas is so important to convey to Americans that haven't had the opportunity to experience the world's perspective from outside the country. Having gown up with all my extended family in NZ, my parents were frequently questioned on why the US seemed to force its will on other countries (in particular though trade deals, economic arrangements, etc). The sentiment of the US as a bully are shared by the international community, including those allied with the US. Your conclusion about Americans not taking part in their government is an interesting one and certainly serves to highlight each of our own responsibilities in repairing our reputation overseas. We can maintain all the things that make America great while fixing the serious problems with our international policies as well as our problems at home that are impeding the rest of the world from seeing us as such. -Loren Ashley,
Fantastic painting! The shadows of the trees on the lower part of the building walls also look like the stucco texturing that those walls sometimes have. Nice composition!

The American Idol reference is particularly interesting in the context of your comments about the US and our involvement in politics. Sadly, the show touts a devote following that votes for their favorite singer every week without fail, yet these same “voters” are of the demographic most likely to abstain from voting in political elections. I imagine this was the dichotomy you intended to illustrate with the reference.

Your insights about Americans’ reputation over seas is so important to convey to Americans that haven’t had the opportunity to experience the world’s perspective from outside the country.

Having gown up with all my extended family in NZ, my parents were frequently questioned on why the US seemed to force its will on other countries (in particular though trade deals, economic arrangements, etc). The sentiment of the US as a bully are shared by the international community, including those allied with the US. Your conclusion about Americans not taking part in their government is an interesting one and certainly serves to highlight each of our own responsibilities in repairing our reputation overseas. We can maintain all the things that make America great while fixing the serious problems with our international policies as well as our problems at home that are impeding the rest of the world from seeing us as such.

-Loren

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