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. 

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.

En route we passed bastide strong hold of Puycelci.

My client has asked for a looooong picture, 2940 x 68 cms, to fit over their fire place.

The picture will show a view we occasional have from this part of the Tarn.

When the weather is like baby bear’s porridge, ‘just right’, some times, of an early morning or late evening we can see, about 100 miles away, the marching chain of mountains known as the Pyrenees.

Consequently, a great idea, why not have a sun set painting in the lounge of the distant Pyrenees?

Photographs taken for the fore ground details, Michael and I were soon under way again with Puycelci again in our sights.

Michael had never seen Puycelci before today.

This 13th century village was built on orders of the Count of Toulouse as one of a chain of fortifications on the Northern boarder of his vast lands.

To keep out the northern barbarians.

That was the Plantagenets and French… – nothing to do with the English we hastily tell out French and Tarnias friends…

When I first saw Puycelci some 20 years ago most of the village was derelict.

Today the village is largely restored mostly under the guidance of English, Dutch and N Americans seeking second homes.

The heart of the village has gone, few children play in the streets, few working people live at remote Puycelci nevertheless the village has become a charming retreat with spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and forests particularly worth an evening visit t watch the sun set and eat on the terrace of at Le Roc Cafe or Le Bistro.

Even at this time of year, we don’t get a lot of tourists in the Tarn,  parking is easy at Puycelci thus an evening stroll and a few beers at a bistro watching he sun set was order of the evening.

Does life get better than that?

Remind me to to have ‘once in a life time‘ exhibitions to often please… next, cook supper.

Had some company this morning.

Helene Ancelot who I call my “French sister” came and did some ironing for lucky me and then worked on preparing paintings for packaging.

Neither painting is large, one was started when I started Emigration, Plymouth Cattewater – which I am looking forward to putting into print in June.

It is already available for advance orders via the Print gallery page.

The new version started life as a test piece for the grand version.

It has evolved a life of its own so is similar but different and will cost a very reasonable £1500.

The frame cost £500 as you will see when it is blogged.

It will be called “Australia Bound, Phoenix Wharf, Plymouth“.

The other is a completely new painting based on some thing I saw about 20 years ago when I took my family to the beach for a day.

I’ll be very interested to know how you react to “Mermaids Pool“.

Both will be blogged in the next few days to be included in the European Parliament Exhibition 23 to 26 May at Brussels and in the book that goes with the exhibition (price £10.00 / 12 Euros.

Working from original fine quality drawings made by of their ships by the French officers, their journals and the journals of the British we have here a representation of the French ships quite unlike the work of any other marine artist.

Is there room for a Frickers painting of this subject?

Marine paintings on this subject considering the significance of the voyage at that time, by order of the King of France, to do for France what Captain James Cook did for Britain, are few and far between.

Most of  the other marine paintings and models  I have seen of this event show the wrong ships or have doubtful details.

Mostly they are far too modern, that is ships of a type used 25 years later.

Part of the confusion is caused by no existing plans of Alstolabe and Boussele both of which, deliberately following the example of Captain James Cook were converted merchantmen not true frigates.

Indeed the Astrolabe seems to have been quite an old style ship for her period.

The confusion is further compounded by the ship which in 1811 was sent to search for Laperouse.

Did you guess she was also named Astrolabe?

Or can some one prove me wrong???

In a later entry I will quote from my sources.

Right now I don’t have the time because I am very preoccupied with preparations for the Exhibition I have been invited to give at the European Parliament, Brussels, commencing 23 May.

~

Following careful further reading, I found the British journals quite contradictory.

Some said the British were at anchor when the French arrived in Botany bay, others said under weight and HMS Sirius spoke with the French.

Still other journals and even reports by the same officer stated one version in one paper, another in a second document.

What should we make of that?

We know from studies of other logs and journals from the period precise reporting was unusual.

We have to remember the journals and diaries were usually written up from memory hours or even days after the events.

Taking an average and allowing for a some what casual attitude to the exact facts by at least some of the journalists the intention here is to show some of the First Fleet getting under weigh, others sailing.

We know the First Fleet had difficulty leaving Botany bay.

Two ships collided, happily with no damage done so I have shown the ships of the First Fleet working out of Botany bay.

HMS Sirius (2 in the sketch) has tacked and is intending to pass within hail of the Astrolabe and Boussole to who she had already sent a pilot.

The “Prince of Wales” (1) has cleared the bay and she is away to be the first transport to arrive at Sydney (first that evening).

She is followed by “Golden Glover” (3) seen in the act of tacking.

Three more ships are under weigh, another is backing her topsail as she ups anchor to turn her across the wind so she can fill her sails and set her course, the remainder are still anchored.

There were 11 ships in the First fleet, only 10 are shown.

Why?

Because we know the transport “Supply” sailed to reach Sydney Cove the day before the rest of the fleet.

One account says 4 others went with her but this is unconfirmed, besides it would reduce the impact of this vigorous picture so unless it is proven we run with what we have here.

~

My particular thanks to Stephen Best who introduced me to the story of Laperouse and more recently has carried out considerable research under my guidance, to the staff of the Laperouse Museum in Albi who have been helpful and enthusiastic at all times, to the Association Laperouse d’Albi and especially to the British government’s UK Hydrographic Office staff at Taunton who gave me a wonderful welcome, were very helpful, amazed me with their historical collection and their state of the art modern digital charts and even allowed me to handle the original chart draw on Captain James Cook’s voyage.

My work at the UK Hydrographic Office  at Taunton, source of the world famous  “Admiralty” charts, was crucial in confirming the appearance of Botany bay from seaward in 1788 and where the ships would have to anchor.

The place of  anchorage also demonstrates one of the reasons why the First Fleet left Botany bay.

While Botany bay is large and lovely, much is shallow with the deeper water being exposed to bad weather.

The principal chart I used is the same original chart which drew the First Fleet and Laperouse to their surprising encounter.

Next task is to begin the underpainting.

Trafalgar Dawn the French Perspective was first conceived as a possible idea way back around 1996 after I painted the original “Trafalgar Dawn” as part of a project to raise funds for HMS Victory.

The original Trafalgar Dawn a view from HMS Victory at 06.05 on Monday 21st October 1805 is available as a heritage collectors print, signed and numbered and a very remarkable painting it is with an amazing story of how it came to be.

Much of that story is on the web site under Further Reading:

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

The new version from the French flagship is completely different beinbg the opposite view except it has an identical format.

As with Trafalgar Dawn it is the result of research which now I look back is astonishing and the new Trafalgar Dawn the French Perspective will make an excellent pair of prints with Trafalgar Dawn view from HMS Victory.

Advance Notice:

I expect Trafalgar Dawn along with “Emigration, Plymouth Cattewater“  will be printed in June or July.

No you can’t have copy No 1, sorry it is spoken for promised to a friend in the Royal Navy who has given me much encouragement and the inspiration to overcome the difficulties of the research (even the official Admiralty report in 1913 for the King got many facts wrong…) and we already have our first enquiries for prints of “Emigration, Plymouth Cattewater“; from Australia.

However if you would like to reserve one of the more valuable low numbers email Gordon Frickers now = info@frickers.co.uk

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!

I have found the panic button (almost pressed eject by accident).
I am quietly confident my man will have his picture earlier than the 18th.

About this sketch

The coaster is not particularly accurate ~ yet.
The location chosen is Black Deep channel, outer Thames Estuary

Black Deep has besides a stirring name, a history to match for example was where the bodies of the 2 princes alleged to have been murdered in the Tower of London by Richard the third’s henchmen were dumped.

That is of course legend as so often the case written by the victors,  given as fact in some history books.

The reality is that more likely it was Henry the VII (the first Tudor) who had the hapless boys murdered to remove potential rivals and blamed it on (the by then dead)  Richard III the last Plantagenet whom Henry had usurped and had killed at the Battle of Bosworth as chronicled by among others the (Tudor) bard William Shakespeare.

To produce this sketch was 4.5 hours direct drawing after previous exploratory sketches that probably took a couple of hours total

Then we should included research with the UK Hydrographic Office at Taunton, Trinity House London, Armac Shipping, The Cambria Trust  to name the principal sources.

Others sources have included Google Images and Google Earth.

I worked from the dimensions of “River Trader” built 1989 therefore one of the newest in the Armac fleet, 9.40 m beam, 15.27.

Part of the task of the sketch is to enable our busy friends at Armac to quickly find a suitable reference photo taken from as near as possible to the desired angle and height above sea level.
Of course I’d rather be there and take a better photo myself but…

The Cambria Trust Secretary was immediately supportive of this plan, delighted his Thames Barge Cambria was to be included in a Frickers marine painting.

He very promptly sent some photos, again none quite what I have in mind but that is ok, I am used to working round, interpreting photographs, you may recall I have a degree in photography which more than once in a while is helpful.

He has also offered to guide me with Cambria’s colour scheme and help in any way he can.
I recalled remembering during my days back in the mid to late 1960’s on the Thames barge British Empire the bright work was picked out in Chrome Yellow.
So was the bright work on Cambria but I was told during Cambria’s restoration it has been discovered under the yellow Cambria was originally picked out in gold.

Thus I’m happy re the barge in the sketch although I would like some more detailed pictures in particular of the fore deck and wheel housing.
~
Back to painting today.
The EP Expo invite has been approved.
That is a big one out of the way.
Next invitations for invitation shave to go out.
Then I can focus on the next issues on the EP Expo list which will include preparing a catalogue.
~

Shipping movements:

On the subject of shipping movements and potential marine paintings, on the International stage I see Iran has sent 2 navy ships to the Med and plans to send a battle fleet for a year on exercises.
Good for tourism, very friendly of them?

A possibly world changing transit of the Suez Canal passed largely  un noticed  by the media with so many of us have been following wide eyed current events in Arab states.
We wish those people freedom, prosperity and peace while wondering if within 5 years their revolutions will have been high jacked by Muslim extremists.
There is plenty of what later may be seen as warning signs one of which is the recent shipping movement in the Suez Canal.
What scares me is recent  history shows war and revolution can start very suddenly and repeatedly we hear the media and more so the politicians “taken by surprise” by events.
Sorry guys that does not cut it, wake up, Iran is sending a battle fleet to the volitale Med, why, for their health and training?

We also know trouble on the streets in the Arab countries has often started when Muslims leave their Mosque after ‘prayers’ so is clearly at least in part driven my the Imams.
Islam is a religion of peace and love?

That is as easy to figure out as does 2 + 2 make 4? Do fish swim?

Two Iranian warships, a frigate and a fleet supply ship, both British built, were the first Iranian warships to enter the Med since 1979.
Iran says they are the first of a battle fleet Iran is sending to the Med “for a year on exercises”.
I dread to think what will happen if those ships start pushing their luck for example running supplies to Gaza or encouraging militancy in the currently very very unstable Arab nations…
~

In my view the spread of Islam is a more serious challenge to our way of life and values than climate change or communism.

“Islamaphobia” reaches Plymouth

A report as yet unverified has come in of a 2nd Mosque in Plymouth and trouble in the streets, fighting, requiring the Police in Plymouth to separate Shai and Sunni Moslems.
I’d appreciate being kept informed of any issues around that in particular press reports.
I started a few months ago to keep a file on “Islamaphobia”, why?
Because very reluctantly I have come to think we have good reason to fear Muslims in Britain and worse, well meaning soft liberals and socialists are actively, directly and indirectly Muslim encouraging immigration.

This is undemocratic.

The British have not voted for this, rather the contraire.
This is already impacting on our remoter cities like Plymouth.

20 years ago one rarely saw a veil in Plymouth, now they are a common sight on our streets.

So what has changed, does this matter?

Make no mistake: the aim of the majority of Mulsims as clearly shown on the Internet is the introduction of Islamic Law into Britain.

Does this matter?

I think the worst of it is the thin end of the wedge is well oiled.

Meaning  we are kind, generous so they come to us; next their friends arrive and all seem reasonable, are peace and love, take part in Interfaith meetings and so on.

Their friends of friends arrive and the next thing you know we have mosques and Muslim youth gangs on our streets, Muslims in our  institutions and boasting in 20 years time they will have 20 or 30 members of Parliament, in our work places even in our jails intimidating people and pushing the weakest and most vulnerable to convert while  our authorities turn a blind eye to the gradually encroachment of the outdated and brutal Shai’ire Laws within Great Britain’s United Kingdom.

There is worse to come.

Thus I’ll keep an eye on the Iranian battle fleet in the Med, as with the Somali pirates, they are overdue subjects for marine painting…