As a young magazine , we would not normally feature an artist we have previously spotlighted but we are making a special exception in this case for very special reasons . I met Nicholas Sironka , a Kenyan Maasai batik artist , at an art show in Spokane Valley nearly two years ago . He struck me as not only an exceptional artist but also an exceptional individual as well . The more I have come to know Nicholas , the more I have confirmed my earlier suspicions .
Nicholas has worked tirelessly on his artwork to sustain himself , but more importantly , to give aid to his Kenyan friends and their families by sharing Maasai culture . In fact , he has organized several visits of his Maasai tribespeople to come to the United States to perform dance and song as well as teach us about their culture . Ask yourself , when will you ever have the opportunity to learn and experience what it is like to be Maasai in Kenya , from the people who live there ? This is why we are taking this opportunity to share with our readers the upcoming visit from Nicholas Sironka ’ s friends and family . They will be sharing with us a culture very much different than ours , and yet in many ways , something to envy .
Nicholas , can you share with our readers a little bit about yourself ?
I am Nicholas Sironka , a Maasai visual artist from Kenya with a God-given talent to present facets of my Maasai culture by use of large fabric paintings . My medium of choice is Batik , which is art created with the use of hot wax and cold water fabric dye .
As a self-taught visual artist these many years , I seek to present and articulate the Maasai culture with dignity and truth and beauty . I continue to do so through my paintings , with their accompanying story captions . Over the years I have held many lectures on the history and lifestyle of the Maasai . My Batik art classes and workshops in schools and public art venues are literally hands-on projects that are geared towards directly advancing American ’ s knowledge of Kenya and her people , while giving special attention to the Maasai people and their culture .
As a child growing up , I enjoyed drawing and painting . My parents always encouraged and supported my artistic skills , encouraging my creativity by buying me art coloring and drawing books . My debut into the commercial world of art , however , was as a freelance artist illustrating for book publishers and working as a graphic artist for local magazines in Kenya .
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