Approaching England HMS Pickle off Mounts Bay on course for Falmouth is in the later phase of sketch and research.  

~

This copy of this well known HMS Pickle painting is going to Cornwall and will be beautifully remarqued. 

The famous schooner HMS Pickle is of course featured on this web site.

Much of her history is featured here on this web site and makes a good read plus we still have a few copies left of the stunning and best selling print “I have urgent dispatches“.

“Reference to a presentation on HMS Pickle, could i ask you a few questions,
Do you know the max speed and cruising speed of the schooner and when was the name officially changed?”

~

The painting can also serve to introduce ‘The Art of Gordon Frickers’ to some leading galleries and auction houses; which one will seize the opportunity to sell this unique picture?

Paintings of dinghy sailing are rare, portraits of famous sailors rarer, a  painting licensed by the British Olympic Association, probably utterly unique.

For further information read on or phone Frickers -

(UK) 01865 522435 (International: +44 1865 522435)

(France) 05 63 40 72 25 (International +33 5 63 40 72 25)

The painting “Going for Gold” shows Ben Ainslie on his way to winning the first of 3 successive Olympic Gold medals. – “Going for Gold” – 762 x 1016 mm (30″ x 40″)

http://frickers.co.uk/marine-art/ben_ainslie_sydney_olympics.html

This picture was produced under license with the special permission of the British Olympic Association.

Ben Ainslie is one of Britain’s most renowned high profile living sailors.

He continues to build a distinguished career

Gordon Frickers is a highly experienced and respected marine artist who has worked with some of the British Olympic squad and the British Olympic Association.

Gordon is the only marine artist to have been invited to exhibit at The European Parliament (May 2011).

He was commissioned for a series of paintings for HMS Victory, and has produced several significant works depicting this famous ship and the Nelsonian subjects.

Illustrated here, Trafalgar dawn the French Perspective, painted in 2010, exhibited in Brussels, the original is available at the time of writing as are signed numbered copies.

Gordon Frickers has featured in many journals this year including Sea Breezes and Warships IFR.

His “Roaring Forties” was recently described by Dick Durham (Yachting Monthly) as “iconic”.

“Putting something back” – Ben and Gordon agreed as sailors who have benefited from the RYA / BOA system, they wish a significant percentage of the sale price to be donated to the BOA.

This picture was produced under license with the special permission of the British Olympic Association who by act of Parliament has exclusive copyright to all images pertaining to the British in any Olympic Games.

We have a limited permission to reproduce this image in support of Gordon Frickers work.

Ben Ainslie and Gordon Frickers co-operated closely to produce this unique Olympic Games action portrait of Ben Ainslie at the Sydney Olympic Games in a Laser sail boat on his way to win his first of 4 gold medals for sailing.

Ben Ainslie besides winning 4 successive Olympic Gold medals is on course for a 5^th in 2012 and if successful equals Paul Elvstrom the “Great Dane”, considered the all time best Olympic sailor. Sailing is more competitive today than in Elvstrom’s time, may hold the modest Ainslie in awe! Ainslie was elected ISAF World Sailor of the Year in 1998, 2002 and 2008.

Quote from Sir Robert Knox-Johnston:

“From a very happy owner of an original Gordon Frickers painting” (The iconic “Roaring Forties”)

Quote from letter to Mr Andrew Bray, Editor of Yachting World:

“I have won a few prizes in my short racing career, but I can assure you this will be the one I treasure most. Please convey my appreciation to the artist (Gordon Frickers) and once again my sincere thanks to you and your organisation for such a wonderful prize” M. J. Leadbeater.

Quote from “Sea Breezes”: (long established world wide magazine of ships and the sea)

“We are delighted to report that Frickers was uniquely invited to exhibit at The European Parliament 23^rd- 26^th May 2011.  The exhibition titled “Life on the Ocean Wave” included many of Frickers most significant works…..

…..Frickers is the only artists who is a member of The British Marine Federation, and Superyacht UK”

~

We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to review other painting by this versatile artist, marine painting embracing many subjects and in particular his less known vibrant  landscapes.

http://www.frickers.co.uk/marine-art/index.html

http://www.frickers.co.uk/colour/index.html

~

Typical Press story: The Mail on line wrote: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2019087/London-2012-Olympics-Yachtsman-Ben-Ainslie-Britains-modern-day-Steve-Redgrave.html

Yachtsman Ben Ainslie is Britain’s modern-day Steve Redgrave. In his final Olympics, prepare for the sail of the century.

I was here to study at close quarters what makes our helmsman — Ben Ainslie CBE, winner of three Olympic gold medals and one silver — a phenomenon as worthy of admiration as anyone in contemporary sport.

He may not be mobbed in Regent Street but he is the principal celebrity — a description he would thankfully detest — in any yachting town. ‘I never have and don’t suppose I ever will have to go through what somebody like Lewis Hamilton or David Beckham goes through,’ he said.

Determined to win a fourth gold in London — a feat that would leave him behind only Sir Steve Redgrave in British Olympic history for the level of success accrued over a span of 16 years.

‘There is this fear-of-losing thing,’ he said. ‘It’s competing for something you set out to achieve and not wanting to fail. It’s the same as A-level students who go out to get three A’s and work their arses off. They don’t want to come up short. Over and above that, this is a competition, so you don’t want to be beaten by guys who are younger than you or who you think you should be beating.’

That is the essential Ben Ainslie.

My connection with HMS Pickle goes back a long way and includes a lengthy commission for HMS Victory which resulted in some great pictures (several available as heritage prints from page
http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html

Curiously when I was filmed in Nelson’s Great Cabin onboard HMS Victory for the BBC TV programme “The Boats that Built Britain” I found myself being asked by narrator Tom Cunliffe to give a character reference for Pickle’s commander.
See this blog December 5th – http://www.frickers.co.uk/blog/2009/12/05/portsmouth-hms-victory-and-pickle/.

Can you imagine the experience to be on HMS Victory early on a December morning when only Victory’s Royal Navy staff are present?

At 07.30 on a chilly 5th of December 2009 morning I found myself in Nelson’s day cabin being asked about the mind set of the sailors after the battle of Trafalgar and giving a character reference for Lt Lapenotiere of HM Schooner Pickle (he of possibly the most miss pronounced miss spelt name in British naval history) ~ and this was to go on National TV?!
My view is that despite desertions and floggings Lt Lapenotiere was a good commander and very fine seaman.

He commanded a very small very wet vessel that must have been seriously unpleasant in winter and he sailed Pickle in dangerous coastal waters with out misshap, with some élan and some distinction.

How Lt Lapenotiere managed this and his men is a story in its self for another time, maybe.

One of my best known pictures features Pickle, “I have urgent dispatches“.
If you wish reproduce this image for the purpose of an educational presentation (only) do go ahead, free of charge.
A credit shown with the image mentioning web site and availability of prints would be appreciated, thank you.
The Pickle in “I have urgent dispatches” is after much research including of similar period vessels, models, other paintings and the only illustration probably overseen by her then commander Lt Lapenotiere is considered by some leading authorities as showing her most likely actual appearance.

Available as a heritage edition in print, signed and numbered, the first copy was presented by the officers of HMS Seahawk mess in 2005 to the Princess Royal in appreciation of her assistance with the commemorative voyage, Trafalgar to Falmouth, of the news of Trafalgar and death of Nelson.
Having made a special study which started in 1994 when I was commissioned to paint to raise funds for HMS Victory , of HMS Pickle, I have a considerable amount of information here about HMS Pickle and other vessels of her type.
I am also keenly aware some books and many web sites present info on Pickle as fact and are simply wrong or at best guessing.
Example: in my view Pickle was probably built at or near Plymouth.

Bermuda is often suggested for which I’ve seen no supporting evidence.

I have a huge respect for the achievements of the men of that period, I feel HMS Victory is still visited by their spirit.

I even felt contacts with these formidable men while painting “Trafalgar Dawn” (http://www.frickers.co.uk/marine-art/trafalgar_dawn.html)

That story is mentioned in Trafalgar Dawn, further reading (picture available as a signed edition exclusively from this web site).

You may also like to know I am currently working on 2 new “Pickle” paintings.

I wish my naval friend all the best with his presentation a copy of which would be of great interest.

I like the idea of a Leading Seaman giving a command leadership presentation to senior officers.
In any event I hope he does let us know how he got on and of any funny stories.

This original idea came with a commission from a couple who live a few kilometers from my French studio, why? 

They had heard of  ‘Gordon Frickers’ via the ‘grape vine’ – there are plenty of vines in this region… – so phoned to see if it was possible to create a special birthday present, wife to husband, to celebrate and enhance their lovingly restored farm house. 

After the presentation they generously wrote:

Dear Gordon,

Thank you from us both for the most beautiful painting which has come into our lives. When we first saw it it was breathtakingly lovely but the more we look at it from different angles and at different times of the day, the more we appreciate it. It is suffused with golden light and will give us great joy for the rest of our lives.

I do hope our paths cross again in the future and we do wish you all the very best with your work. 

Kind regards,

And :

Dear Gordon,

Yes do use anything from us if it will help you. We should be honoured.

Peter sent me the photos you took and that is lovely as it means I can enjoy the painting whilst I’m in London too.

If you need us to speak to any potential clients then of course we would be happy to do that too, either in person or by email.

One can only see the Pyrenees mountains from this area on very clear early mornings and evenings as they are some 100 km from the Tarn.

This painting will do duty in less brilliant weather and I’m told become a family heirloom.

The “Pyrenees Sunset“, a 2000 x 500 cms oil painting on specially prepared canvas board is intended to live over their mantle piece in a frame to be made of the same sort of timbers used in the salon.

An interesting example of the growing historical worth of The Art of Gordon Frickers, a picture painted about 1993 from an eye witness account and a good story in its self.

With Captain Kozyr’s kind permission I will share here with you some of our recent correspondence.

Dear Mr. Frickers,

I found your site accidently looking for information about convoy PQ-13. What is a reason for my curiousity?

I’m editor in chief of the publishing house Gangut (www.gangut.su) specialized in the maritime history and at the same time I’m vice-president of the Arctic Convoy veteran’s organization. At the moment we are going in cooperation with the US Consulate General to publish the book Frozen Fury by John Haynes – the US Armed Guard veteran participated convoy PQ-13 onboard SS Eldena. It’s non-commercial project because 50% copies will be distributed among veterans and youth organization free of charge.

I guess that a copy of the painting “PQ-13, Arctic Convoy” would be the most appropriate to be placed on the jacket.

Seems that it’s only painting of this convoy made by eye-witness.

May I ask you to rejoin this project devoted to the coming 70th Anniversary of the first allied convoy Dervish arriving to Russia in this form in a form of contribution a digitized copy of this painting? Presentation of this book will be a part of the Dervish-2011 Fest in St Petersburg in beginning of September.

Respectfully yours,

Captain of 1st Rank (ret) Igor Kozyr

~

I replied as follows:

Dear Captain Kozyr,

Thank you for your very interesting enquiry.

I would be happy and honoured to support your publication.

I have a profound respect for Russian efforts during WW 2.

As you suggested I have had a look at your web site which I found fascinating and will ask my web master to do the same.

I am aware there are many close historical links between Russian and British sea men.

I noticed the following statement which is entirely in accord with the aims of http://www.frickers.co.uk/ - “The purpose of “Gangut” is popularization history of navy, of shipbuilding development, elucidation of the heroic pages of the Russian navy and fleets of other countries, stories about outstanding seamen, shipbuilders and the ships. “Gangut” successfully works today”.

I am very aware that among the qualities of my paintings are included their worth as historical documents often made from eye witness reports as is the case here with PQ 13.

You may be aware I have just completed the first ever Marine Art exhibition at and by invitation from the European Parliament?

My host wrote “In each of the paintings that are Frickers’ work we find

a theme, sometimes great, sometimes small, there is

inevitably a story about us and the people who labored

to shape our modern world.

Frickers is an ambassador today and for future

generations for our marine world. I recommend The Art

of Gordon Frickers as exceptional, a joy to own and a

sound investment”.

Normally there is a fee of £250 for the use of a picture like this however given the explanation expressed in your text below I have an alternative suggestion for your consideration.

I would like to support your project, although I hope you appreciate for an artist making some money is essential including to support the freedom to create more interesting pictures.

However there are things you could offer aside from money that would help my work.

1. The picture could appear with a link on your web site to my web site (and we can give your site a link). You probably know incoming links help with search engine ratings?
2. A credit in the book including my web site address. You might like to include the story that lead to the creation of this painting? Some where I still have the notes and letters written by the gentleman concerned who was very please to arrive alive although badly injured in Russia!
3. A complimentary copy of the book, ideally signed by yourself.
4. I’d also like to add the gist of your email and a story about your book to my blog and web site. That could be useful publicity for your book too.
5. Together we could write a profile on my work for inclusion in one of your publications, the only marine artist to have been invited to exhibit at the European Parliament (May 2011) and the only artist who is a member of the British Marine Federation.

If you have other or alternative suggestions kindly tell me, thank you.

It is a privilege of my work to often make very interesting friends through The Art of Gordon Frickers, any introductions you care to send me will be most welcome.

Wishing you good sailing,

Kind regards,

Gordon Frickers, Marine Artist.

~

Dear Mr. Frickers,

You really impressed me with your reasonable suggestions and with evident sense of maritime brotherhood.

It’s very typical for those who has close relations with Arctic Convoys veterans. I’m accepted your proposal with open heart and growing enthusiasm.

1. Send me please your logo to add it to other friendly-links directly to gangutprint@yandex.ru (I do it in person, so operation takes about10-15 minutes).

2. I have a special permission from the author and the US Publishing house to add appropriate documents to the book. It’s interesting that during my cooperation with Arctic Convoys veterans I made friends with 3 men participated PQ-13 (Raymond Ball, HMS Trinidad; Pietur Olaffson, Ballot and Anatoly Lifshits, who served at soviet destroyer Gremyashy). Where is a small part told the story of “New Westminster City” in the Frozen Fury, and would be interesting to use recollections of her crewmen.

3. No doubt that you get a copy signed by author (John Haynes will be in St Petersburg for the Dervish-2011 Festivity). may be it’s possible for you – to rejoin British delegation? I can recommend you to Gordon Long, the Honorary Chairman of the Russian Convoys Club.

4. I believe that all my friends veterans will be pleased to hear about our new friend among artists. May be you were familiar to Commander Collin Macmillan, he served at HMS Beagle escorted some Russian Convoys and later became quite famous painter and Honorary Secretary of the Russian Convoys Club. He passed away but he won forever our hearts with his talent and personality.

5. We’ll be happy introduce your works to our audience, you can recon on 20,000 signs for a profile on your work and 4 type rage incolor plus a cover.

I’m thinking also about your exibit in St Petersburg, Arctic Convoys has close relations with local authorities, maritime community and Marine Consulate of St Petersburg directed by our governor Valentina Matvienko.

Cordially yours,

Igor Kozyr

~

I replied as follows:

Dear Captain Kozyr,

Thank you for this detailed reply which I had better copy to my web master Dr. Michael Baker.

Michael and I have been friends since we were 9 years old.

He has the logo copy.

If you agree, I will also mention this to Mr. Brian Simpson for reasons given below plus he may have ideas to contribute.

Purely by the way, you may like to know Michael’s Mother commissioned a painting of HMS Formidable. Her husband severed on Formidable first servicing aircraft, later as a pilot.

You may know of this renowned ship which saw a lot of action including on some Russian convoys?

My painting shows Formidable in her Mediterranean colours and is available as a print.

My host at the European Parliament Exhibition the MEP Brain Simpson also had a father on Formidable so he will be very interested to learn of our connection.

Your idea of an exhibition in St Petersburg sounds exciting.

If Arctic Convoys has a favourable response from your local authorities, maritime community and Marine Consulate of St Petersburg, governor Valentina Matvienko then can discuss details.

The cost will be the principal problem.

I could not finance this alone at present.

However, between us we may be able to find funds for such a good example of Russian /American/ British co operation or an unothodox solution.

I could even look at making one or 2 very special paintings and ideas like presenting one to your authorities and prints for sale to help an appropriate charity possibly signed by appropriate people like the mayor of St Petersburg.

Kind regards,

Gordon Frickers

~

Dear Gordon,

I wish you all the best from our office with a set of our logos (use what you like best of all).

Tomorrow I’ll meet President of the Arctic Convoys Club Captain Yury Alexandrov and we’ll discuss how we can be helpful to organize your exibit in St Petersburg, may be in cooperation with our Maritime Painters Association.

Respectfully yours,

Editor in chief
Igor Kozyr

St Petersburg, Bol’shaya Monetnaya 16, office 36
Phone/Fax +7(812)336-5024,
www.gangut.su

~

This story is on going, for example, will I still have the origianl notes made with Mr. M.O. Mills (now deceased) when the painting was being created?

What happened to the painting afer Mr. Mills died?

We know it was available for sale last August 2009 but where is it now?

Watch out for the next post on New Westminster City and Convoy PQ 13.

This little gem of a painting (20 x 25 cms, (8 x 10″) won’t cost a fortune, but must be worth at least £650 (775 Euros) and is reserved for the EP Expo at Brussels 23 May but no reasonable offer will be refused.

The Golden Hinde voyage remains one of the most extraordinary adventures of all time combining many of the ingredients of a best selling story.
Francis Drake was a Devon man who captained the “Golden Hinde” (pronounced – ˈhiynɪd’) (or Golden Hind), an English “Race Galleon” type of ship out of Plymouth England to become the first Captain and the First English captain to circumnavigation the globe.

The Golden Hinde being of some 100 tons, 30 mish meters over all was manned by some  164 men of who only 56 survived.

During this remarkable feat Drake’s sailing master (navigator) was listed as Moses the Jew.
It is well known Jews were banned from many trades in Europe and owning land at that time.
Consequently Jews tended to take to more intellectual occupations which included doctoring, banking and chart making.
Plymouth was at that time a hotbed of English seafarers demanding better ships, better navigation better everything, men whose sails were seen it was said trading in every port in Europe and by many further shores.

The Golden Hinde voyage established Drake’s reputation as a sea man, discoverer, wise daring and forceful leader, corsair and according to his enemies- dread pirate.
Even in 1996 while researching at Cadiz I was told Spanish mothers in Cadiz would hush irksome children with “hush or El Drako will come”… The Spanish also called him El Draque, meaning “The Dragon.”
My own memories of Drake and the Golden Hinde are more positive.
The Golden Hinde replica was destined to follow Drake’s route around the world and left Plymouth in a blaze of publicity.
As mentioned I was studying at Fal Tech at that time and the following lunch time being a beautiful day I took my sandwiches to the quay to site astride a bollard and enjoy the sights and my little lunch.
There rocking gently at her anchour was the Golden Hinde!
Curiously, she had put into Falmouth due to bad weather exactly as had the original Golden Hinde!
Some 10 years later when cruising a Wayfarer (no 6778) my crew and I were permitted to board and to explore the beautiful replica, again the location was Famouth Cornwall.
The replica Golden Hinde was researched designed and built by the finest authorities of the time including men who had served square sails.
She was built by Hinks of Appledore who had built previous replicas including a “Mayflower” later gifted to the United States, all fine traditional craftsmanship, now passed into history.

Hence the inspiration for this lovely early example of The Art of Gordon Frickers.

The Golden Hinde was typical of a new breed of (relatively) fast manoeuvrable English sailing ship; she was not a war ship in the modern sense but was well suited to warfare in her age.
Originally known as the Pelican she was renamed by Drake in 1578, as he prepared to enter the Strait of Magellan calling her the Golden Hinde to flatter his patron, Sir Christopher Hatton, whose armorial crest was a golden ‘hind’ (Old English for a female deer).
Hatton was one of the principal sponsors of Drake’s world voyage and Drake had executed for mutiny one of Hatton’s protégés…
Drake’s strategy worked, Hatton was rightly pleased and would other wise probably have remained just another obscure person but for the immortality Drake and the ship Golden Hinde have bestowed upon him.

Drake’s piratical conduct on his voyages was unofficially encouraged by Queen Elizabeth.
This was partly because Spain tried to exclude other countries from the half of the world the Pope bestowed on Spain, a claim which failed to take into account the likely reactions of other catholic nations and as for the Protestants well!
On 1 March 1579, the Golden Hinde took the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, which had the largest treasure captured to that date: over 360,000 Pesos.

The six tons of treasure took several days to transship.

Subsequently Drake sailed North, probably to around San Francisco Bay, claiming this land as ‘Nova Albion’, leaving on 23 July.

He then came across the vast unknown Pacific 3 times narrowly escaping ship wreck, reaching the Cape of Good Hope on 18 June 1580 and Sierra Leone on 22 July.

On 26 September 1580 the Golden Hinde given up by some as lost sailed into Plymouth Sound and anchoured in the Cattewater Harbour with only 56 of the original crew left alive aboard.

The great queen herself went aboard the Golden Hinde when the ship was moved to Deptford on the Thames and personally bestowed a knighthood on Drake.
Queen Elizabeth’s share of the treasure came to almost £160,000: “enough to pay off her entire foreign debt and still have £40,000 left over to invest in a new trading company for the Levant.
Her return and that of other investors came to £47 for every £1 invested, or a total return of 4,700%.”
After Drake’s circumnavigation, the Golden Hinde was preserved for public exhibition in Deptford.
This is probably the earliest known example of a ship being maintained for public display because of her historic significance.
Golden Hinde survived for nearly 100 years before she eventually rotted away and was finally broken up.
The table in the Middle Temple Hall (in London) is said to have been made from the wood of the Golden Hinde, as is a chair in the Great Hall, Buckland Abbey, Devon.
Sir Francis Drake was not laid up for many more years.

His illustrious career included becoming a royal favourite, an good Mayor of Plymouth and leaving a reputation for protecting England unrivalled today except by Nelson, Winston Churchill and The Few.

http://frickers.co.uk/marine-art/urgent_dispatches.html

The picture in question is “I have urgent dispatches“.

For the subject I have worked from the only know illustration which is very likely to show the true appearance of HMS Pickle because we know Lt J R Lapenotiere advised the artist.

We hope you will be as delighted with our new picture.

There is a story disputed by some naval scholars, not even mentioned in many books on the subject, that as Pickle crossed Mounts Bay and approached the Lizard (most southerly point of mainland Britain) she spoke with some Cornish luggers who were fishing.

This is the moment I have chosen for you and will be the subject of my next painting of HMS Pickle.

~

Is it a true story, fair question?

The wind that day (4th November 1805) was very light so there would have been time for the men to speak.

Pickle was well known in Cornish waters.

Aside from carrying dispatches she had hunted privateers and smugglers on that coast.

Half her crew were Cornish and Devon men including her commander thus it is likely they would be known to the fishermen.

Cornwall even to day is a ’small’ county, some of the men may even have been related or friends.

~

The story tells us the luggers immediately stopped fishing and headed for home with the news.

In their case that meant the tiny port of Mousehole (pronounced ‘mawsell’ or ‘mozzel’) in the far West of Cornwall.

To this day the inhabitants of Mousehole celebrate the news of the battle of Trafalgar and death of the hero Nelson being read from the balcony of the town hall and claim there was the first place in England the news was heard.

Having lived in Cornwall and sailed those waters I am inclined to believe the story.

~

Indecently, HMS Pickle also appears in the Frickers painting (available in print) “Trafalgar dawn” all be it very small  and again in the new almost finished version of “Trafalgar dawn, the French perspective” (an opposite view to make a striking pair).

Although she is tiny on the horizon, Pickle following ground breaking research with all the British fleet Pickle will be named with all the British fleet in the margin of the new prints in similar style to the way all the combined fleet are named in order in “Trafalgar Dawn“.

This is true attention to small details which most people will miss but we think are important and fun do you agree?

Claim your copies of these very special prints from page

http://frickers.co.uk/prints.html

where you can order quickly and securely; enjoy!

Of course we would like you to buy from frickers.co.uk however here is a guide or at the very least food for thought  for everyone interested in framing.

This text will we hope help you care for your new and existing art work to maximize its value and your enjoyment. If you are in doubt, we can supply finished prints and paintings to most destinations usually for very reasonable prices.

Some people like to organize their own framing so here is a guide.

By the way

This page updates the Frickers web site page  at http://www.frickers.co.uk/care.html

Frickers prints and painting have increased in value over the past 20 years on average by 250%.

Our carriage costs for framed works are very reasonable however they do vary even with in the British Isles.

~
Gordon Frickers career as an artist started in 1966 at Maidstone College of Art. His studies included a range of subjects as diverse as life drawing, philosophy, Art History  and graphic design
Since 1983 his core activity has been ‘painter’ (specializing in marine art) and Art Photographer… He has a “formidable list of clients” ~ quote from Audrey Hinks of Gallerie Marine, (C.V./résumé page. http://www.frickers.co.uk/about.html)

Invited to exhibit in the  European Parliament in May 2011 Frickers has been describes  as widely regarded as one of the finest living marine artists.
~
Choose from our selection of collector’s heritage quality prints fully framed and delivered. You can order easily, safely on line using PayPal
“Print Gallery”

http://frickers.co.uk/prints.html

Superior paintings and prints produce a special ambiance making a statement. The best photographs and other forms of interior decoration can enhance, they can’t substitute for fine paintings. To maximize your investment, always frame discreetly but don’t spare the cost.
Your / our new print / painting is our baby too so we would like to provide the following recommendations. Treating your / our print / painting with care will help provide many years of pleasure and protect it your heritage picture as an investment.
Usually a better quality frame is worth the money. Cheap frames cheapen your presentation. Our view is that a frame should not overwhelm the picture, but look unobtrusive and sophisticated. More on how to choose follows further below.
Please note, our top of range prestigious Heritage prints (see Print Gallery) are on a special cotton canvas so look and to feel like the real thing.
These are a development of the renowned Giclee printing process. We recommend they are dry mounted before framing. We use a museum approved system guaranteed not to bubble or blister and it is reversible.
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Choosing a picture frame

We recommend you consider the frame is sympathetic to the picture, the owner’s temperament and the room it should be hung in. What does that mean?

Some guidelines include:

1.    The latest fashions are for quite clean mouldings with the detail in the colour and texture of the moulding. These suit almost all periods of room from ultra modern to Georgian and older.
2.    The frame should help the picture look important so, steer well clear of very narrow or highly original frames.
3.    Big ornate frames still have a place particularly in formal settings like offices were other pictures have been framed in that style or where special attention is desired for the picture. Our swept frames are hand made to special order.
4.    Avoid frames that are narrow or very dark; they generally look and are miserly.
5.    2.5″ ( 62mm) works well for pictures up to about 20″ x 32″ (508 x 810 mm) then add on about 1 ” (25mm) per foot (300mm).
6.    For a modern person and modern home, even a traditional picture (see “Trafalgar Dawn”) will take a relatively clean uncluttered moulding and very pale mounting card. Whereas the same picture in a Victorian or older style of setting would take a much more ornate frame quite comfortably.
7.    Unfortunately some picture framers are more interested in the frame than the picture, a natural mistake, watch out for this. It will devalue your picture. They use frames which over power the picture; not good.
Card mounting.
1.    If there is to be a card mount, it should echo the main theme colours of the picture and often but not always be white, near white or of a significantly softer tone and saturation.
2.    The latest fashions are for white or near white card mounts.
3.    We now use Artscreen in place of glass. It has many advantages including lighter and almost unbreakable in transit and claims better UV light resistance.

Confused? If we can help don’t hesitate Contact Us T: 0044 (0) 1865 52 2435 .
~
Why paintings?

Few things make a home or offices look more stylish than very good paintings.
The rooms are given uplift for people without their even looking at the paintings.
They convey authority and integrity, an ambience, to the rooms in a way which no other furnishings can, challenging the imagination and senses of all who see them.

Fine paintings will arouse conversations and give pleasure and value every time you see them. If you commission Gordon Frickers you will be in safe, experienced hands.
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Investment
With quality art consistently out performing the stock market, some people order 2 copies, one to show, the other as an investment to keep in store. You only need one or two art works in your collection to become sought after to pay for all and much, much more, be a winner: enjoy and good luck!
Have you seen the info about print quality on our “Print Galley”

http://frickers.co.uk/prints.html

IMPORTANT INFORMATION about the Mounting and framing of any and especially our fine art print(s)

Never frame directly on glass.

Consult an experienced picture framer for advice before framing your print. Ask for conservation quality framing, cheap frames devalue your and your collection.
Do discuss with your framer the various conservation methods of framing which can assist in maintaining the life span of your print. Be sure to have the picture framer explain their methods to you.
Prints should never be permanently secured to the mounting board. Only two methods of attaching the artwork to the mounting board are “museum” acceptable:

1.    The use of quality hinges attached to the print borders and mounting board.
2.    The use of Mylar or similar print pockets that are attached to the mounting board. The print is then slipped into these pockets. No adhesive of any kind touches the print and the paper is allowed to expand and contract without any adverse effects.
3.    A museum quality acid free masking tape along the top edge.

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Improper mounting is responsible for much of the damage to art on paper. Deterioration and discoloration are caused by the use of common mat board. Only use acid free 100% museum quality art board to be safe, including for the backboard. The smallest amount of unprocessed inferior mounting board or adhesive will contain acid that “bums” paper and could cause it to turn brown. It may eventually become brittle and even disintegrate when it is removed from the frame.

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Store prints, ensure they have been separated by acid-free tissue, without overmounts directly one on top of the other. Never store or leave prints flat on a floor – elevate them so that air can circulate underneath and around them.
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Humidity is a major enemy to paper and prints. The chief danger in is mould. Mould grows in excess of 70% relative to humidity. According to museum curators, 50% humidity is ideally suited for keeping fine works of art on paper. Always maintain proper humidity levels wherever prints are being stored or hung. If there are signs of mould consult a reputable picture framer.
Handling our print, always have clean hands and use two hands to lift the paper so there is no risk of creasing and the edges do not get crimped. Never touch or drag anything across the image area, if you leave a thumb- print or scratch the surface, you will leave a permanent mark that cannot be repaired. Never use pressure sensitive tapes on the paper.

Never hang or store prints over or next to a radiator, heater or fire, the combination of heat, soot and smoke can do extensive damage over a short period of time. Make sure you check there is no dampness on any wall where you are hanging our print.
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Light fades all works of art, all inks and paints; even ours that are produced from start to finish with the best materials. Once framed, your new print should be hung in an area away from direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting. Over time sunlight or fluorescent light will adversely affect your print. Fading is not reversible. It is irreversible damage. How much light is the optimum? The measurement in terms of lighting is called foot-candles, and according to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the optimum is five foot-candles, which is roughly the equivalent of a 150-watt bulb, approximately four-to-five feet away from the piece that is being lit. Genuine picture glass, ultra violet protective Plexiglas, Conservation Clear or a similar conservation glass will reduce the possibility of light damage but any strong direct light source should be avoided.
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Any prints you order from us carry an impressive guarantee, for details
Visit our “Print Gallery”

Gordon Frickers © 26.06.05, updated 03.03.11