December 2013

December 2013

4agreements

Language has been somewhat on my mind this month; or more importantly, the way we use it. I spend way too much time on Facebook, I know, and the circulars there are becoming rather tiresome: ‘Beat Crime’, ‘Fight Cancer’, or bizarrely, ‘Beat Bullying’??! One banner only this week proudly proclaimed; ‘I want to live my life without stress and worry. I don’t need to be rich and famous, I just want to be happy’. Well why not BE happy then, was my only thought (and comment). Surely, for most of us, happiness is a choice…. isn’t it (see video below)?

ben_taffinderLanguage (at least in my belief) is extremely powerful. I cured myself of a fifteen-year dis-ease by repeating positive thoughts to myself in the mirror. But if that’s too namby pamby for you, then let’s look at it scientifically…

vitaly_makarovThose there boffins are now starting to find that quantum mechanics actually upholds the fact that the way we look at something can actually determine its outcome. It can physically change atoms!

Their Schrödinger’s Cat experiment implies that a cat in a box remains both alive and dead (to the universe outside the box) until the box is opened. It is the observer that actually changes the cat’s state.

jose-salvaggioOK, that’s a very simplified explanation of a hugely complex principle, but I guess you don’t have to be a genius to understand that to ‘Fight War’ is an oxymoron.

I believe that if we have the power to create anything, we also have the power to resolve it. But certainly not with the same (negative) energy that created it. Miguel’s Ruiz’s excellent, ‘The Four Agreements‘ argues that point much better than I could. What’s more, personally I feel a responsibility to use language carefully every day… for everyone’s sake. And that’s why I surround myself with beauty… and, boy, do I have some beauty for you this month! (Segway-city!!)

andrew_tozerBut to kick off, I want to let you know about our Christmas exhibition right here in the gallery with the brilliant, Ben Taffinder. There’s a meet-the-artist drinks evening on Saturday 28th between 6.30 and 8.00 with Ben. Then the exhibition will run through until Sunday 5th (when I disappear on my annual holidays for 3 weeks). But be warned, that boy sells out fast, so if you can’t make it in person, make sure you check out the website for what’s on offer… it’s sure to be great!

claire_henleyAs I mentioned in my interim email, we’ve launched our fabulous International artists’ pages now, too. Russian artist, Vitaly Makarov, and French/Italian painter, José Salvaggio are leading the way with nine stunning paintings (one of which has already sold!) so visit their pages for a closer look… their work is just Magnifique!

jill_hudsonAndrew Tozer has just popped in with a new collection of beautiful works, too. The boy just gets better and better and we’ve already outsold the numbers we did in 2012/13, with four months still to run, so make sure you get in their quick with that fella!

We’ve had a few new Claire Henley’s in (a smasher of Portscatho in the snow has already sold) and a few new Jill Hudson’s, too. Just delightful! And our own Neil Bolton has been working here the last week, too, so we have four magnificent new pieces of his just in… lurvely!

mary_allenMary Allen popped in with two smashing new paintings as well after we sold all of hers last month. So if, like me, you’re a fan of her wonderfully free style, have a quick butchers at those two newbies… they’ll blow yer’ socks off!

howard_moodyAnd if that’s not enough for you, the brilliant Howard Moody has popped in with three stunning new handcrafted wooden bowls and vases. Such lovely work needs a viewing at the very least… and they’re soooo tactile!

neil_boltonLastly, remember our Contribution Buying Service; which is really becoming popular now. If you’d like something stunning for Christmas, why not reserve one of our works and we’ll crate a page for your friends and family to contribute towards the remainder. A great way to avoid those dreaded Christmas Socks and Pullies (no offence, mum!) and to make sure you really get something you really want this year!

So there it is. I really hope you have a fabulous Christmas and maybe I’ll see you in the gallery/village over the festive season. We’ll be open six days a week (Tues-Sun) right through Christmas, apart from Christmas Day itself, so it’d be great to see/hear from you.

Glad tidings till then!

Mark

Oh, and if you need some inspiration to get happy… check this video out…!

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November 2013

UbuntuIn one of my weaker moments this month, I started to muse over the reactionary society we live in. We seem focussed on a cure-rather-than-prevention culture. We pay our doctors to make us well after we’ve been ill; our police force to find culprits after a crime has been committed; our dieticians to make us slim after we’ve become overweight; and our armed forces to take up the baton after we’ve failed in negotiation. Not a splendid subject to be mulling over whilst living in paradise, I admit ;-0) (Note to self: could do better)… read more

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