The Story Behind the Famous Christinas World

The Story Behind the Famous Christinas World Take a wrong turn by the prison in Thomaston, Maine, and youll bump down a pebble road and land smack inside a painting. Or so it seems. Hathorn Point in South Cushing, Maine In the remote town of South Cushing in Maine, a stark, weather-beaten farmhouse sits on the east side of Hathorn Point Road, on a grassy rise overlooking the St. George River and the distant sea. In summer the grass might be a close-cut emerald green and a row of pines fringes the horizon, but all the other details are shockingly familiar. This is the scene from Andrew Wyeths haunting 1948 painting Christinas World. Stepping from a car, or from one of several tour busses that lumbers down the narrow road, one might half expected to see the crippled young Christina Olson, in a pale pink dress, crawling through the grass. The landscape is so well-known. The Olson Home was built by  Captain Samuel Hathorn II in the 1700s, which makes it a genuine Colonial style - a home built during the colonial period in American history. The Hathorns, a seafaring family from Salem, Massachusetts, originally built a log cabin on the property before the Captain upscaled to a framed construction. In 1871, Captain Samuel Hathorn IV replaced the old hip roof with a pitched roof and added several bedrooms on the third floor. A half century later, his descendants, the Olsons, invited the young Andrew Wyeth to use one of the upstairs rooms as a part-time studio. I just couldnt stay away from there, the Pennsylvania-born Wyeth once remarked. It was Maine. When entering the house in late spring, a visitor may be followed by the sweet scent of lilac from the bushes planted outside. Inside the rooms seem bare - the beds and chairs have been removed and even the wood stoves that supplied the only source of heat are gone. Visiting hours are limited to roughly four months of Maines most temperate climate - similar to the last quarter of the 19th century when rooms were rented only in the summer months. Wyeth used his upstairs studio for 30 years and featured the house in many paintings and lithographs.The artist captured stark rooms, austere mantels, and somber rooftop views. Only an easel marks the spot where Wyeth worked at the Olson house. No Small Worlds In the 1890s, John Olson married Katie Hathorn and took over the farm and summer house. Two of their children, Christina and Alvaro, lived all their lives in what is now called the Olson House. A young Andrew Wyeth, who had summered in Maine as a boy, was introduced to the Olsons by Betsy, a local girl who would become Andrews wife. Wyeth sketched both Alvara and Christina   while in Maine, but its the 1948 painting that people remember. Some say that old houses take on the personalities of their owners, but Wyeth knew something more. In the portraits of that house, the windows are eyes or pieces of the soul, almost, he said years later. To me, each window is a different part of Christinas life. Neighbors claim that the crippled Christina had no idea that her small world had become so famous. No doubt, the appeal of Wyeths iconic painting is the visualization of a universal desire - to seek a place called home. The world of ones home is never small. For decades after Christinas death, the house changed hands several times. For awhile there was nervous speculation that it would become yet another New England bed and breakfast inn. One owner, movie mogul Joseph Levine, brought in Hollywood set builders to authenticate the place by spraying its rooms with fake cobwebs and weathering the faà §ade so it resembled the building Wyeth painted. Finally, the house sold to John Sculley, former CEO of Apple Computer Inc., and Lee Adams Sculley. In 1991 they gave it to the Farnsworth Art Museum in nearby Rockland. The house is now protected by being named a National Historic Landmark. During the spring, summer, and fall you can tour the humble farmhouse and grounds that haunted the famous American painter. Stop at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine for a map and you wont even have to get lost to discover Wyeths world. Key Points - Why the Olson House Is Preserved The Olson House has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1995. The property is significant not for its architecture but for its association with the events and people who have contributed to our cultural history - American artist Andrew Wyeth  (1917-2009) and his paintings. The property has been a National Historic Landmark since 2011.From 1939 to 1968 Andrew Wyeth was inspired to draw and paint the house, objects related to its occupants, and the occupants themselves - the polio-crippled Christina Olson (1893-1968) and her brother, Alvaro Olson (1894-1967). The Olson were the children of John Olson and Kate Hathorn, whose great-grandfather built the house in Maine.Over 300 works by Wyeth are attributed to being associated with the Olson house, including Oil Lamp, 1945; Christina Olson, 1947; Seed Corn, 1948; Christinas World, 1948; Egg Scale, 1950; Hay Ledge, 1957; Geraniums, 1960; Wood Stove, 1962; Weather Side, 1965; and End of Olsons, 1969.The Farnsworth Mus eum continues to restore and preserve the Olson House with period appropriate architectural salvage and reclaimed lumber. Remilled old growth white pine beams and rafters from a 19th century Boston structure were used to restore the Olson homes exterior. Andrew Wyeth is buried in nearby Hawthorn Cemetery, along with Christina and Alvaro Olson and other Hawthorns and Olsons. Sources Olson House, Farnsworth Museum, https://www.farnsworthmuseum.org/visit/historic-sites/olsen-house/ [accessed February 18, 2018]National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, NPS Form 10-900 (Oct. 1990), prepared by Kirk F. Mohney, Architectural Historian, Maine Historic Preservation Commission, July 1993Christina’s World, Longleaf Lumber, https://www.longleaflumber.com/christinas-world/ [accessed February 18, 2018]Historic Restoration, The Penobscot Company, Inc., thepencogc.com/historic_restoration.html [accessed February 18, 2018]Additional photo of Olson House, btwashburn via flickr.com Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Differences between Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research Essay

Differences between Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research - Essay Example Methods of Qualitative Research There are three main methods by which qualitative research is carried out that is personal or group observation, in- depth interviews and focus group. All these three methods contain unstructured and structured questions and based on reactions and experiences the results are estimated (Mack and Woodsong 2005). Uses of Qualitative Research Qualitative research is used in a specific format to give a complete idea of the study. This formatting helps the researcher in formulating surveys and questions in a manner that the right results can be achieved for the inquiry. Since qualitative research is focused on feelings and experiences so it is important that the questions formulated relate to the research and so do the answers (FHI 360 2011). So it is important to carry out a formative research. You can also refine your findings through formative research and avoid response bias by creating different sort of questions that people don’t hesitate to ans wer and give explanations more freely rather than an atypical answer. Qualitative researches also tend to validate the whole research in a way that the information collected verifies the numerical data collected (FHI 360 2011). Social and economic factors are included in qualitative research that helps in justifying results and providing long lasting analysis to the study. This form of research is advantageous for experimental and investigation research topics because unstructured questioning opens up new eras of research and a better understanding of the problem is reached by the researcher (FHI 360 2011). Subjects and topics that have no previous study or research can also be explored well in detail through in depth interviews by... There are two main forms of research that are being carried out currently in the field of research and development. These are the qualitative and quantitative researches. Qualitative and quantitative researches are two different approaches that deal with each aspect of the concerned study in a different perspective. The methods and techniques adopted for each category is also different and this term paper discusses both the researches in details and their link to digital information. The interpretation of the results collected also varies according to the researcher due to diversity and complexity of views. Qualitative research and quantitative research are two different aspects of research and each differs from the other. Qualitative research is all based on intangible things and hypothesis. This research focuses more on understanding experiences. Quantitative research on the other hand involves two variables, an independent variable and a dependant variable. Qualitative research is objective in nature and involves numerical figures and data. Quantitative research involves all forms of sampling and data is collected in the form of statistical figures. Structured interviews, surveys and questionnaires are a perfect example of quantitative research.Quantitative research can be conducted using digital recording systems and online platforms for the purpose. These systems help in repeating the information or data recorded earlier in clear quality and analyzing data.

Consumer behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Consumer behavior - Essay Example This implies that for a positive feedback from the consumer, a lot of emphasis has to be made in ensuring that all these factors put into consideration (Arnold, James, and Scherbet Oliver 1999 p.30 par.4). 3. Consumer behavior is characterized by all of the following EXCEPT thoughts. These factors are characterized by consumers’ dynamism, interactions, exchanges, and predictability. Consumer behavior must be constantly monitored by the marketer because it is usually dynamic and therefore it changes constantly resulting to short product life cycles (Arnold, James, and Scherbet 1999 p.35 par.1). 4. The marketer must constantly monitor consumer behavior because the consumer is: creating new strategies for the products. To keep in touch with this trend, innovation and value addition are of paramount importance in order for the companies to remain profitable and retain their market share. This is achieved by creating new products, newer versions of existing products, new brands and creating opportunities for increased cross holding (Wilcox, Rhoda V 2001 p.34 par.3). 5. To keep in step with shorter product life cycles, many companies are innovating constantly and creating superior value for customers and staying profitable by all of the following ways, EXCEPT constantly changing. Innovation and value addition are of paramount importance in order for the companies to remain profitable and retain their market share. This is achieved by creating new products, newer versions of existing products, new brands and creating opportunities for increased cross holding. (Wilcox, Rhoda V 2001 p.41 par.2). 6. The relationship between the elements involved in consumer behavior is BEST described as: interactive. This is due to the fact that consumer behavior is mainly interactive and profit maximization which is the primary role of marketing must be cognizant of this fact (Arnold, James, and Scherbet 1999 p. 45

In the current economic climate in Britain, the risks of starting up a Essay

In the current economic climate in Britain, the risks of starting up a new business outweigh the benefits, Discuss - Essay Example Admittedly, some very recent reports of Britain's Office for National Statistics indicate a hopeful improvement in the economic performance of the nation with regard to its GDP that showed ‘over 3 percent annual growth rate’ unlike other world economies (Schomber and Milliken). Although the 0.8 percent growth it showed between July and September ranks its fastest pace in more than three years, the employment growth has not yet showed significant improvement; and this makes the sustainability of the economic recovery uncertain. Hence, from an entrepreneur’s point of view, the risks of starting up a new business in UK in the current economic climate outweigh the benefits. Some experts believe that Britain’s economy is built on shaky foundations. To illustrate, as Elliot, the Guardian reporter points out, the economy is exceedingly depending on private, ‘and to a lesser extent to public borrowing’. He also says that the so called economic recovery is concentrated only in certain sectors and as a result, ‘manufacturing base is shrinking’ and the trade deficit is mounting. Obviously, all these reports reveal that UK economy currently is relying on a debt based recovery which will raise long term financial stability concerns. The growing rate of consumer borrowing is one of the symptoms of this economic crisis. Another point to mention here is that the highlighted GDP growth in fact does not add up for the country’s working class. For instance, over the past 12 months, the use of food banks has gone up by 170% in the nation, and still five million people in the UK are currently living in fuel poverty (Cresswell). The financial position of an economy can influence a company’s stability and sustainability. New businesses are highly vulnerable to risks related to the economic stability of the country in which it operates. New entrepreneurs often fail to plan financial projections or create good working e nvironment. It is necessary for new businesses to determine if their product or service is strong enough to sustain the market completion and other challenges. Business owners with little knowledge in current trends and socio economic changes tend to fail in their venture. In other words, it is important to study the socio economic and political conditions of the business destination before commencing operation. Finding a new appropriate business is also a challenge in the new environment. It requires extensive research to determine the most relevant product and business concept in a competitive environment. One recent survey report reveals that 31% of the participants opined that finding a new business would be the major challenge for their organisations in 2013 ‘followed by rising costs (14%) and holding onto customers (13%)’ (MT Management). At this juncture, new entrepreneurs must be cautious about the current economic climate in the UK regardless of the recent impr ovements. This is because even Britain's big businesses have just started spending their cash piles after the recession. Although expansion is their higher priority, for the time being, their decisions seem to be an experiment. When it comes to new businesses, they usually confront insufficient cash flow, lack of expertise, and knowledge. Although new businesses fail due to a multitude of reasons, there are

Re-organization and Layoff Team Discussion & Summary Essay Example for Free

Re-organization and Layoff Team Discussion Summary Essay Mismanaged layoffs can go horribly wrong. The effect of mismanaged LAYOFFs on the remaining workforce and the effects, lack of management preparation, the human condition, and lack of mitigation strategies. We think that the problem with this article is that not enough managers or HR personal, know how to let a person go from their employment effectively. They sometimes dont realize the impact that it has on the other employees morals. Also, that sometimes companies dont take a closer look to make sure downsizing will be the answer to cutting costs like they think that it will. Every HR or manager should be let go in their lifetime so that they know what it feels like. I believe that this statement holds tremendous merit because the best lessons in life are learned through personal experience. In order to adequately communicate life changing messages of sorts, it should be done by a seasoned manager. I will be very surprised if any company has a potential layoff learning path that will coach and train the management staff for these kinds of things. It is imperative to be sensitive to the individual being laid off as this will impact their livelihood significantly. I do agree that other options much is explored such as relocating or wage cuts before making the decision to lay off people. The Problem Layoffs create uncertainty in the workforce causing loss of productivity in remaining the remaining workforce. The article addresses that a managers approach is paramount; we dont disagree with this sentiment, but I dont see it as a large of an issue as the author of the article. If a company is at a point where they are laying off employees, all other options should have been exhausted. The author writes the article from the position that managers dont know how manage and that layoff are ineffective. I agree layoffs are not useful, but an amount of respect or approach refinement is  going to make the loss of income any easier; I compare that to putting lipstick on a pig. Trying to make a bad situation easier is often more disrespectful than being direct. Firing is something that is done privately and should be kept confident between the manager and the employee being let go. If a manager is letting, someone go for the right reasons the example should be evident to the employees as cause and effect; being held accountable for their actions. If the Manager is abusing their hiring/firing authority that would affect employee morale; forced silence, uncertainty, etc. Problem Solutions The options that were covered in the group discussion I feel very informative. When it comes to releasing someone, whether it is a termination or a layoff, it was discussed if training for those types of situations would be suitable, or if one could even prepare to carry out something of that delicate nature. You can train someone how to do anything, but that does not necessarily mean it will be conducted in the manner it was taught. I think it all highly depends on the situation and the individual who is delivering the news to the employee. The authors best point is one of the best solutions; transparency. Managers should allow people the autonomy of reacting, working through, and coping with a layoff in their own way. Transparency is the most respectful approach that management can take as it shows them the truth of the situation and explains the steps being taken and why. I would add rather than trying to find another position within the company as suggested (the company is already struggling!?) they could offer employment assistance to other enterprises; communicate with other organizations in the same industry to identify openings that people would fit into well. They could put together a communications package that shows them what benefits are available, assistance programs, etc.

Og Mandino (For the Rest of My Life) :: essays research papers

For the Rest of My Life . . .   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For the rest of my life there are two days that will never again trouble me. The first day is yesterday with all its blunders and tears, its follies and defeats. Yesterday has passed forever bye my control. The other day is tomorrow with its pitfalls and threats, its dangers and mystery. Until the sun rises again, I have no stake in tomorrow, for it is still unborn. With God’s help and only one day to concentrate all my effort and energy on, this day, I can win! Only when I add the burden of those two frightening eternities, yesterday and tomorrow, am I in danger of faltering under the load. Never again! This is my day! This is my only day! Today is all there is! Today is the rest of my life and I resolve to conduct myself through every waking hour in the following manner. . . . For the rest of my life, this very special day, God help me . . . to heed the wise advice of Jesus and Confucius and Zoroaster and treat me. To maintain a rein on my tongue and my t emper, guarding against foolish moments of faultfinding and insults. To greet all those I encounter with a smile instead of a frown, and a soft word of encouragement instead of disdain or even worse, silence. To be sympathetic and attentive to the sorrows and struggles of others, realizing that there are hidden woes in every life no matter how exalted or lowly. To make haste to be kind to all others, understanding that life is too short to be vengeful or malicious, too soon ended to be petty or unkind. For the rest of my life, this very special day, God help me. To keep reminding myself that in order to harvest more ears of corn in the fall, I must plant more kernels in the spring. To understand that life always rewards me on the terms that I establish, and if I never perform or deliver more than that for which I am paid, never will I have reason to demand or expect and additional gold. To always deliver more than is expected of me, whether at work, at play, or at home. To labor wit h enthusiasm and l9ove, no matter what the task at hand may be, realizing that if I cannot secure happiness out of my work I will never know what real happiness is. Og Mandino (For the Rest of My Life) :: essays research papers For the Rest of My Life . . .   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For the rest of my life there are two days that will never again trouble me. The first day is yesterday with all its blunders and tears, its follies and defeats. Yesterday has passed forever bye my control. The other day is tomorrow with its pitfalls and threats, its dangers and mystery. Until the sun rises again, I have no stake in tomorrow, for it is still unborn. With God’s help and only one day to concentrate all my effort and energy on, this day, I can win! Only when I add the burden of those two frightening eternities, yesterday and tomorrow, am I in danger of faltering under the load. Never again! This is my day! This is my only day! Today is all there is! Today is the rest of my life and I resolve to conduct myself through every waking hour in the following manner. . . . For the rest of my life, this very special day, God help me . . . to heed the wise advice of Jesus and Confucius and Zoroaster and treat me. To maintain a rein on my tongue and my t emper, guarding against foolish moments of faultfinding and insults. To greet all those I encounter with a smile instead of a frown, and a soft word of encouragement instead of disdain or even worse, silence. To be sympathetic and attentive to the sorrows and struggles of others, realizing that there are hidden woes in every life no matter how exalted or lowly. To make haste to be kind to all others, understanding that life is too short to be vengeful or malicious, too soon ended to be petty or unkind. For the rest of my life, this very special day, God help me. To keep reminding myself that in order to harvest more ears of corn in the fall, I must plant more kernels in the spring. To understand that life always rewards me on the terms that I establish, and if I never perform or deliver more than that for which I am paid, never will I have reason to demand or expect and additional gold. To always deliver more than is expected of me, whether at work, at play, or at home. To labor wit h enthusiasm and l9ove, no matter what the task at hand may be, realizing that if I cannot secure happiness out of my work I will never know what real happiness is.

Just How Bad Can Living Under a Totalitarian Government Be Essay

Does the government control everything? Maybe not as much in Canada, however in other societies like Nazi Germany and even in Panem from the book â€Å"The Hunger Games† written by â€Å"Suzanne Collins†, they definitely do. This could also be known as a totalitarian government. These places take to extreme the punishment, violence and unfairness. Although, the government in the Hunger Games is set in a futuristic theme it is still alike to that of Nazi Germany. However, no one has any power to vote in a totalitarian government and they have to obey cretin guidelines and rules such as behaviors, restrictions, education, and lifestyles. If even one of these guidelines were broken you would face severe discipline. â€Å"When I was younger, I scared my mother to death, the things I would blurt out about District 12, about the people who rule our country, Panem, from the far-off city called the Capitol. Eventually I understood this would only lead us to more trouble. So I learned to hold my tongue and to turn my features into an indifferent mask so that no one could ever read my thoughts. † Free speech, we learn, is not a given in Panem. Katniss censors herself because of the fear her mother has of the government. Notice how she has to hide her thoughts and her emotions in District 12 to avoid being a problem to the Capitol. This is very close to the people that lived in Nazi Germany at the time. I’m sure that both Panem’s and Nazi Germany’s people would have to endure life threaten consequences if there government heard of any faulty accusations about them. The Hunger Games is a gladiator type sport, which is punishment for the uprising against the Capitol that happened long ago in the novel â€Å"The Hunger Games†. Why are the Hunger Games so effective, do you think, this is to keep the districts from rebelling again, because just like Nazi Germany, Hitler made sure that no one would stand up against him? He would either through them in jail, put them in a concentration camp, or even kill them on the spot. A great example from this time is when, â€Å"Hitler made all students attend the â€Å"Hitler Youth† Organization until 6:00 pm. Any parents that tried to prevent their kids from attending would no doubt be thrown in jail,† said a grade 10 student living in Germany at the time. â€Å"All I can think is how unjust the whole thing is, the Hunger Games. Why am I hopping around like some trained dog trying to please people I hate? The longer the interview goes on, the more my fury seems to rise to the surface, until I’m literally spitting out answers at him. † As we can see here Katniss (The main character) is being asked questions that she has to lie about to keep herself and her family alive. So Katniss has to hide what she knows: that the Hunger Games are unjust and terrible. Just like many of Germany’s people they could not speak against Hitler or the Nazis in the fear of being hurt or killed, everyone had to keep these dark times to themselves. No doubt this meant that the German Newspaper did not write any opinions against the government. Even on the radios all the advertisements were focused on supporting Hitler and his regime. What’s an Avox? † I ask stupidly. â€Å"Someone who committed a crime. They cut her tongue so she can’t speak,† says Haymitch. She’s probably a traitor of some sort. Not likely you’d know her. † As we see again people that would have rebelled or spoken against their government would face consequences. Hitler moreover would do the same to a traitor or throw them in jail. Surely when Nazis controlled Germany, anyone if not everyone wanted to die as themselves not a product of Hitler. Another excellent quote from Peeta that supports this point, just before Katniss and Peeta enter The Hunger Games, â€Å"I don’t know how to say it exactly. Only†¦I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense? † he asks. I shake my head. How could he die as anyone but himself? â€Å"I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not. † Just like Nazi Germany no one wanted to change to fit Hitler’s label, what the people wanted to do was try to live a normal life. However in The Hunger Games the people had to kill each other to survive, which brings out another useful quote from â€Å"The Hunger Games†, â€Å"No, when the time comes, I’m sure I’ll kill just like everybody else. I can’t go down without a fight. Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to†¦to show the Capitol they don’t own me. That I’m more than just a piece in their Games,† says Peeta. Like Peeta, the people in Nazi Germany wanted to make a stand against Hitler and the Nazi army but most could not due to the intimidating threats of the Nazi army. Not to forget how did Germany’s people that were not in war have to do instead of serving full time in the military service? They had to build weapons, tanks, guns, planes, and even create deathly rockets; even kids had to help out. Just like Panem and other districts, they had to gather resources from their area to give to the Capitol, this to affected the learning of Panem. Furthermore the kids in Germany not only helped with resources and build weapons; they also trained in what would be there future, warfare. Certainly this made Hitler look outstandingly powerful. We can find out that in The Hunger Games that the Capitol has enough power to make kids do what they want them to do, another example from the novel, â€Å"Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch – this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy. How little chance we would stand of surviving another rebellion. Whatever words they use, the real message is clear. â€Å"Look how we take your children and sacrifice them and there’s nothing you can do. If you lift a finger, we will destroy every last one of you. Just as we did in District Thirteen. † Katniss is talking about the punishment of the rebellion it was The Hunger Games and the destruction of district 13. To Hitler, succeeding in the role of leading the people in a totalitarian government he suspects absolutely no failures. Threatens to family, life, and friends would require the person to put out there best work efforts to not fail their leader. Yet again we can see another quote from â€Å"The Hunger Games†, â€Å"We both know they have to have a victor. Yes, they have to have a victor. Without a victor, the whole thing would blow up in the Gamemakers’ faces. They’d have failed the Capitol. Might possibly even be executed, slowly and painfully while the cameras broadcast it to every screen in the country. If Peeta and I were both to die, or they thought we were†¦ My fingers fumble with the pouch on my belt, freeing it. Peeta sees it and his hand clamps on my wrist. â€Å"No, I won’t let you. † â€Å"Trust me,† I whisper.  He holds my gaze for a long moment then lets me go. † The Gamemakers are supposed to have at least winner to survive. Katniss figures out how finally to defeat the Gamemakers. To put the blame on the Gamemakers both Katniss and Peeta decide to commit suicide – or at least act like they are committing suicide. At these actions the Gamemakers were forced to declare both of them the winners. The made a fool of the Gamakers because it really showed that they did not have complete control over them. The Capitol is very disappointed in seeing this happen as it also makes them look weak. Furthermore Hitler was not the only person that took the power of leadership, there were many others. People who even date back to the late 1700’s controlled their own government without any say from the people. Leaders like Simon Bolivar in Spain during 1783 – 1830, Joseph Stalin with Stalinism, Corneliu Codreanu a Romania leader which helped Hitler’s government take place, Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini the leader of Italy who took sides with Hitler in World War II, Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera leader of the â€Å"Spanish Phalanx† just before the time of World War II, and the list can go on and on, because this world is not perfect. In conclusion, we can see that any government like that of Hitler’s or Stalinism are cruel. These types governments are supposed to help out there people but, in the end it causes pain to the people, their families, friends, and even their country and community. People do not get what they deserve in these places such as freedom of speech, religion, and so much more. In the end we are very fortunate to live in a democratic society.