This last day of May day finished this varied month in fine style.

A real English ale with the rare pleasure of  my son for company and a yarn at the China House, Sutton Harbour, Plymouth. (more…)

After a brief stop at fashionable La Baule where I was able to recover some what from the after effects of La Grippe my thanks to my friend Francoise Boitel and family.

I was heading up a rather humid and at times very grey Brittany to the port of Roscoff. (more…)

Up early ish today and loading my car including with 2 major marine paintings (Plymouth Cattewater and Nelson at Gibraltar 10 Dec 1796) and numerous French landscapes.

One of the objectives of this return to my home port of Plymouth is to find out how the paintings are received, perceived and valued, another is to consider suitable exhibition venues. (more…)

Although my reputation is for marine painting, I am working as hard as I can on my Landscape paintings in particular those of Southern France.

I am bringing most of these originals to Plymouth on the 28th of this month for framing as I have several offers of minor exhibitions local to my French address and wish to clear some of these pictures and reduce my stock.
If they sell well I’ll paint some new versions, if not I’ll continue to focus on marine painting. (more…)

I hear from my friends at Sea Breezes magazine, “Yes we did manage to get the Glenorchy scan to a publishable quality“.

Sea Breezes, Glenorchy the marine painting is in the June issue which is on sale today.
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Great fun yesterday: the Forum Films having discovered me via this web site because of my renowned marine picture “I have urgent dispatches” and because of  my friend Ann Maddever (a decendant of the commander of HMS Pickle)  made a documentary series “The Boats that built Britain” series narrated by Tom Cunliffe which was broadcast prime time (20.30) last Saturday.

If you live in GB you can see the programme via the BBC web site on their Ipod and you can add a copy of “I have urgent dispatches” to your collection quickly and securely on page http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html.

The latter also gives you acces via “further reading” to much of the brief yet facinating history of the historic and famous schooner Pickle.

Unfortunately I only found out an hour before the happening via a very kind friend so have not seen it. (more…)

This new marine painting measuring 30″x48″ (762×1219mm) has absorbed some 200 hours including location visits and research by myself and friends in Plymouth.

The scene is based principally on my numerous memories of Plymouth Cattewater by moonlight and shows the “crack” clipper ship Samuel Plimsoll during the 1880’s, loading emigrants Australia Bound. Colour and tone bars are placed here in the picture margin so you can adjust your monitor/screen if you wish to better view this new marine painting

This painting is intended as one of the center pieces for the exhibition next year offered me at the European Parliament; ~ unless some one makes me an offer I can’t refuse!

I also hope this formidable marine painting will inspire Plymouth City Council to make better use of the site in the same sort of way the splendid “Port of Chester 1863″ inspired Chester council, a splendid story documented on page http://frickers.co.uk/marine-art/chester.html which included a civic reception for the painting and artist.

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The Flying Scotsman has as a result of Mike Jeffries comments had a  a re appraisal of the painting and some re working, specific replies to points raised listed below and may be of wider interest to artists.
The remarks have also underlined a serious problem I have here at Itzac; the studio space is tooooo small for paintings over 16” x 20”.
I need a larger studio ASAP but where, anyone want an artist in residence? (more…)

Bonjour à tous, my friend Joesephine writes:

Je me fais une joie de vous inviter à découvrir mes :

” plans et plantes”

Vernissage le samedi 15 mai 2010 à partir de 19h

Exposition du 13 mai au 12 juin 2010
Mardi à samedi de 11h à 19h et sur RDV (more…)