November 2019

No matter how empathetic one is, conflict in life is inevitable. Just because we love each other, doesn’t mean to say we love the same things, so there will be times we fall out, even with the best of friends.

How then to extend and olive branch when discord has been set and both sides find it hard to back down? If it’s a relatively recent and insignificant disagreement, something simple like offering to make the other a drink may suffice; something unrelated, to show you’re open to breaking the deadlock.

Harder are those disagreements that have raged for longer and have many compounding elements to make a truce much harder to navigate. These can often be so difficult to approach, there’s a strong temptation to avoid them all together.

Only each of us know when a friendship has gone its distance and despite our best efforts, there’s really no way back to where it was. In this case, allowing it to naturally die is sad, but and organic process. Some things just don’t last forever.

Those that do require us to find a way through can be much harder and understandably can seem a daunting prospect. How to start emotional negotiations? For me it’s about laying out our own feelings without attributing blame.

Starting sentences with “I feel…” and avoiding using ‘you’ is a great way of letting another know how hurt you are without pointing a finger. It’s hard to argue with another’s emotions when you’re speaking from personal experience rather that trying to attribute blame. You may even choose to write it down first, then read it back and imagine the other person saying this to you… would you feel offended?

However you do it, undoubtedly there is no greater feeling that finding your way back to someone you love, so I wish you all strength is navigating your way through any life-challenging difficulties you may be facing.

And to help you navigate through the world’s best art website (probably) here’re the incredible new works we’ve been blessed with this month:

The lovely Mary Allen sent over a beautiful new Online-only exclusive just a week ago and, boy, did it get a lot of interest in social media!  Not to be outdone on that platform, the astonishing Ilric Shetland sent in two works, one of which will be in-house soon. If you want a lovely affordable painting by Mr Shetland, this is your month!

Andrew Allanson popped in last week with three superb paintings to replace his sales this month. His sunsets are second-to-none! And along with his own, he brought 4… yes FOUR gorgeous pieces from his friend Ann Kelly, too. Howzabout this for a seasonal sensation?

Jamel Akib came down last week. He’s been experimenting with a new range of colours and, boy, did he come up trumps. If this beauty of St Just Church doesn’t sell in a heartbeat, I’ll eat my (virtual) hat!

Stephen ‘The Hig’ Higton added a stunning new piece entitled ‘The Cloud’. For anyone who’s spent an afternoon on Pendower or Towan beach, they’ll know the gentle grandeur of this scrummy scene.

And when Peter Wileman came in the other week with his mindbogglingly good new collection, he added this beauty to the mix. Can this guy get any better…? It seems so!

Just as I’m finishing up writing this, the ever-popular Ben Taffinder dropped by with two world-class impasto scorchers. But no sooner were they advertised, one sold, so only this one of Cadgwith now, soz!!!

And lastly, our still-life queen, Penny German, sent down a brace of beauties enough to delight even the most avid sybarite. So if you’re as big a fan as me, better chivvy over to her page sharpish!

That’s the lot, me lovers! I would normally say November is a quiet month for the gallery, but with 10 record months behind us, I suspect you’ll be surprising me with your generosity again. Bless ya!

Keep safe with those fireworks, cherubs!

Mark

Mark David Hatwood FRSA

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October 2019

I was having a little thinkie the other day about what a thankless job being a politician must be these days. I’m not going to get into the ‘B’ word but I know as an ex parish council, many think you’re in it for the power, or to get your fingers in the honey-pot (which on a parish level at least I can assure you there’s very little of either!)

It’s my belief that the vast majority go into the job in the hope of ‘making a difference’. Unless you’ve been an MP before, up to that point your work, I believe, is unpaid. So there’s a long period that you’re reliant on your personal income to support your bid… even if you do eventually make it to a paid MP salary… read more.

Next post September 2019
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