I am planning a new piece of marine art, the opposite view.

Today was very 21st century though.

I have had today 3 enquiries about my marine painting which may be of interest and found myself yet again busy with Trafalgar and Admiral Nelson issues. 

In particular “I have urgent dispatches“, my marine painting about communication, news and the battle of Trafalgar, of HM Schooner Pickle has attracted more attention (available in print from page http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html).  This Pickle painting was produced after a vast amount of research while I was working on a project for HMS Victory. My interest in Pickle continues to this day and I plan to meet one of the decendants of her Trafalgar Commander in about 2 weeks time.

Maybe we will meet on Pickle Night, the 4th of November? You don’t know about Pickle Night?

A detail of HMS Pickle is shown above.

A memorable day and some fun here today but only partly thanks to HMS Pickle.

Most days pass quietly enough, this 21st of October has not been one of them.

By co incidence I met recently in of all places (medieval) Castelnau de Montmiral a New York based art director, owner of a chain of very successful advertising agencies, who saw via a friend, my new brochure (you can have a coy free from my home page).

He asked to see some originals (so we had dinner at my cottage at Itzac) and would now like to see my work shown in New York.

I was very intrigued by his suggestion to show my extraordinary French landscape art works in New York.
Who knows, maybe we can tie it in with Pickle Night next year at the New York Yacht Club?
I’d love to visit New York city.
How to pay for this though???

Unlike my marine art, with the French landscape art, I turn off my “learned” colour vision and paint the colours I uniquely see with my natural very odd colour vision.

I’d be up for that expo, could be a lot of fun.

I’d be more than interested to know if it is really possible, is it?

To date the main things stopping me have been funding and knowing the right places and people.

Today an email bought an enquiry for a  possible yacht portrait of a modern racing yacht which is making quite a reputation, a  Class 40, “Cutlass“, owned by a member of the NYYC,  Alex Mehran Jr who wrote generously about my work.

I love painting modern subjects so hope this enquiry turns into a great painting.

Another surprise this Trafalgar Day came from the team producing a new series for BBC TV who specialize in making High End Factual documentaries, in this case ‘The Boats that Built Britain’, voice overs by Tom Cunliffe, to be shown in the Spring of 2010.
Apparently I have become a leading expert on HM Schooner Pickle and they wish to interview me as part of a program; could be fun.
Doubt I’ll be paid, could be good PR though.

As if that was not enough for one day, I had a call  from the editor of Sea Breezes.

He would like an article on my super yacht experiences this year on the cote d’azur based around the Monaco Yacht Show 2009 and my June tour de cote d’azur but looking forward into 2010…

Wishing you all a memorable Trafalgar Day and many more to follow.

To stay at a 2 star hotel in Nice about half way from the beaches and railway station, near the old town.

I had no idea how enchanting Nice can be!

The drive from Itzac took 7 hours, the slower scenic route via Milleu and the Black Mountains.

Francoise Boitel navigated for me which saved some time, she also sold me on the advantages of a GPS.

Francoise has GPS in her car even though a competent navigator, having rallied in a Porche in her past which also included running the best restaurant in La Baulle. 

If I thought the weather good inthe Tarn I admit it was better at Nice, a warm 27 C most evenings.

This was not a “jolly”.

We were there to attend the Monaco Yacht Show 2009 at the legendary Monte Carlo in Port Hercule.

The Monaco Yacht Show is considered by many to be “THE” place for the superyacht industry to meet.

Probably the only people who would argue with that are the organisers of the Fort Lauderdale Yacht Show!

I became involved with this industry in 2007 via the UKTI which in turn lead to an invitation to join the British Marine Federation and Superyacht UK. Last year I had a series of superyacht commissions. All were confidential so I have nothing to show…

I’d been preparing for this for weeks, you could say months as my June visit to the cote d’azur was by way of a reconnaissance to look at the Superyacht industry.

This time preparations included a new brochure (email me if you would like a copy).

I am keenly aware of PPPPPP, from my earliest days in Photography and more recently passing on  the lessons  while coaching the national and regional squads of Optimists and Lasers.

The Monaco Yacht Show opened today which was also the earliest my printer could get the new brochures to me so we left Itzac literally 10 minutes after the post arrived!

Tomorrow will be my first day at the show, I face this with quite confidence and some nervousness!

My best “cards” seem to be besides my excellent track record, the offer of an exhibition next year at the European Parliament (great place for a builder / designer / yacht broker to have their work shown via one of my paintings) and my new brochure.

I could do with at least 2 exhibition pieces, ideally commissioned but if necessary painted on spec and maybe better for that as I can choose to set the scene.

I have in mind a big motor yacht at dusk at some where like Porto Fino and an action study of a big sailing yacht.

I am open to suggestions, do you have any?

All that said,  “old” Nice in general was a lot of fun and good news.

Nice sounded and smelt wonderful which unfortunately I can’t demonstrate here. 

Larger photos can be availble though, so you can really enjoy these amazing places.

With a little care,the restaurants are not expensive.  

We ate well with good wine for under 50 Euros per night.  

We hope you find the following interesting, engaging, interactive, and will forward this to friends.

If we can be of further assistance, don’t hesitate to e mail info@frickers.co.uk or phone to ask.

1. In brief
2. New phone
3. I’ve moved house
4. A superb new Marine Print:
5. New on the web site
6. Blog
7. Marine paintings
8. New paintings
9. Super yachts
10. Monaco Yacht Show September 23 to 26?
11. Wotsitworth? ? ?
12. Next please
13. Sea Fever
14. Research
15. Special thank you

Welcome
Your news is always welcome; now here is a little light reading for the summer break, enjoy.

Gordon at Antibes, cote d’azur 

I made an 11 day tour to look over the super yacht industry including producing 2 paintings of harbours.

En route to Cannes I had the excellent luck to meet and have dinner with the renowned French artist Dominique Rembauville who recommended I base myself in Antibes.

This turned out to be an excellent suggestion.

The only down side is I can’t read her email address so she can’t recieve this and another excellent photo I took of her…

Can you help Dominique Rembauville contact me ?

2009 started with my first experience of a long illness, included bronchial pneumonia, leading to a visit to the Hospital at Albi. On the plus side most of the nurses are gorgeous on the minus side I did not get much work done for 5 months so could not afford one!

Having had to ease off, advertising has become necessary.

By the way, we accept payments for paintings in stages and offer a guarantee unsurpassed on the Internet despite.

Anyway following a reconnaissance of the Cote d’Azur, I am fighting fit now so watch out!

That said, my first advert in 18 years has gone into the very glossy magazine
Our new advert, a collector’s item, is bright, clear, punchie and has a great painting.

The ad reads:

Prince Philip winning at Cowes Week by Gordon Frickers.

Exclusive, professional, the best of British Marine Art

A highly experienced marine artist Gordon Frickers has many famous paintings to his credit.

“Our efforts with the painting were highly successful” Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

“Many thanks for producing a truly beautiful painting” ~ Devonport Royal
Dockyard.

For memorable fine art of enduring worth contact or better, meet Gordon Frickers.

Like a free copy of this picture?
Email me if you would.

Superyacht Business, The Best of British is British Marine Federation glossy mag given away at all the major yacht Shows, Monte Carlo at Monaco, Fort Lauderdale etc so will show my marine painting to a whole new network of specialists.
The ad has already produced enquiries for marine paintings and at the very least will help make my name familiar as a marine artist, The future of super yachts, (or is it superyachts?)  looks healthy so the questions are, will the super yacht world realise it can benefit from  Gordon Frickers  are these people are ready for first class  marine art?

By the way, is it super yacht or is it superyacht?

As the advert comments,
“Recent clients included super yacht builders, super yacht owners, the Ministry of Defence and the government of Oman so for memorable paintings and prints of enduring worth contact or better, meet Gordon Frickers”

New phone numbers,

I have change to “Three” from Vodafone, half the price for calls including in Europe and better service.
My mobile is now +44 (0) 7588 411 720

I’ve moved house

From the enchanting Castelnau de Montmiral to beautiful Itzac.  

My Plymouth address remains unchanged, the current addresses are on

http://www.frickers.co.uk/contact.html
My email addresses are unchanged, gordon@frickers.co.uk is reliable.

A superb new Marine Print

http://www.frickers.co.uk/marine-art/formidable_seafires.html
We were talked into publishing this picture by Euro MP Brian Simson whose father served on the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable.

Brian has kindly asked if I am interested in an exhibition at the European Parliament — do fish swim, is the Pope Catholic?
See superb marine prints in our Print Gallery, purchase securely using Paypal or phone Gordon Frickers Fine Art, 01865 52 2435

New on the web site

We are making many improvements to www.frickers.co.uk. The aims include, more user friendly and sociable, easier to leave messages on, to contact us and to buy from.

Changes include a “very useful pages” section on the navigation page and a very unusual CV/résumé http://www.frickers.co.uk/about.html
We are also updating the SEO terms and making other behind the scenes upgrades.

Responding to friendly advice the site is becoming much more focused, on marine art.
None of the other pages have been deleted, rather moved to an “archive” accessible via the Navigation page so the emphasis is going increasingly onto the best and newest works.
We reason, if you see a book on a famous painter, you only see his “best” work, so we too can play that game, makes sense?

Blog

Much improved; you can help by keeping an eye on it and better, leaving comments.
Your comments on the blog really help us with feed back and SOE -search engine optimization, thank you.

Marine paintings

have been given the 2009 look.
Including THE study of Prince Philip winning at Cowes (featured on the new advert) and the Ben Ainslie an action portrait, Sydney Olympic Games which now looks magic and has attracted the attention for marketing of the London Olympic Organising Committee 2012

New paintings

Include a study of the famous “Flying Scotsman”, with Pullman coaches, in a very distinctive location.
Recognise the place???

You can better see the painting on my blog: http://www.frickers.co.uk/blog/ dated 06.06.09

Super yachts

– Potential new market? The 11 day reconnaissance of the Cote d’azur, amazing!

See the web stories under Cote d’azur!
I came away convinced superyachts are ready for the Art of Gordon Frickers; but only just; it will be a difficult market.
In the past year I have had the good fortune to paint a series of superyachts to commission.
I am encouraged by the UKTI Scheme and Superyacht UK to paint more…
The problem seems to be finding people in the industry who appreciate what fine art can do for them and their business.

Know of any leads?

I lead sent by a friend is better than advertising.

I willing pay the full industry rate of commission for your introducing a commission.

Monaco Yacht Show September 23 to 26

Based at legendary Monte Carlo, many consider this THE boat show of the year.
It is grandly titled the 19th Monaco Yacht Show – 2009 and includes the Red Arrows, evening of the 24th.

So, what are you doing this September?

Would you like to keep me company, share the adventure? You could, contact us!

I will be looking to gracefully meet professional people in the Superyacht world. I’ll be staying near Nice.
http://www.monacoyachtshow.com/index.shtml

Wotsitworth? ? ?

From time to time I am asked the question, what is my painting worth?
Recently these 2 paintings,
The New Westminster City, a merchant ship sunk while in convoy PQ13 and my client, former apprentice Mills under attack, painted about 1988.

Mr Mills said he really did fire his guns in anger at the Junkers Ju88’s but was much to excited to aim well.

He added cheerfully, 3 days later we were sunk and I lost a leg. View page http://www.frickers.co.uk/marine-art/pq_13_new_westminster_city.html
Sadly Mr Mills, my client has died and the new owner of the painting asked the question, how much?
A tea clipper study and a fine one too, “Fiery Cross” similar tale, painted about 1984, Wotsitworth ? what are they worth at auction?

The battle of Trafalgar – Most of the Trafalgar collection has become available, the originals that is, currently in a bank vault in central London – what are they worth at auction?

We know some of our prints have been changing hands for £500 +

Can you tell me what these paintings are worth?

Next please

It seems I have to concentrate on Marine art, as you know, not a great hardship for me!
I have and continue to produce some remarkable landscapes exploiting my unconventional colour vision including recently my largest landscape to date measuring 40” x 30”.
While it is entirely possible that one day the landscapes will be worth more than my marine painting, I’ve not yet found a satisfactory outlet for these often remarkable landscape paintings which sell steadily in the £350 to 2,000 price bracket.

Thus my way ahead must be focused on commercial shipping and Superyachts.

I have had several offers of exhibitions but remain choosy.
Why?
Because it is easy to get an exhibition, but expensive and they eat time. Thus unless it is likely to be a financial success why show?
Currently we are looking at offers from what I am told (well they would say that wouldn’t they) the best galleries in Toulouse and Lille.

That said serious offers are very welcome so please pass them on!

Sea Fever

Having moved from Castelnau de Montmiral, a few kilometres down the road to fair Itzac (about an hour’s drive East from Toulouse) I can confirm, Itzac is good, lots of sunshine, wonderful light for painting.
At Itzac I am renting a charming cottage. Chris and Ruth Boddington have shown me much kindness, Lizzie and George (Bod’s cats), much affection. I try to be a good guest / tenant.

There are problems though; which include, typical of minor French villages, poor internet and phone connections, a lack of studio space, remoteness and other issues, the list goes on but I won’t!
Thus I don’t intend to stay at Itzac indefinitely.

If you know of any ways to improve wifi down load speeds PLEASE speak up!!!
More serious, I have a bad case of sea fever…

Ideally, I’d look at apartments any where between La Rochelle and Brest but anywhere from South Cornwall to the Cote d’azur would be ok!

It has also been suggested, I write to some society magazines. The Lady has been mentioned.
First prob, find the right publications, do you have any suggestions ???

Maybe you know some one with a spare house needing the ultimate accessory, an Artist in Residence, a sort of guest.
Montague Dawson, had a deal like that, for one good painting per year (A Dawson marine painting now sell for £50 to 100 thousand)

What solution? Ideas please?

Research

You may like to know I am preparing new marine paintings of the “Samuel Plimsoll” loading emigrants at the Cattewater, Plymouth by moonlight.
This will be a large painting.

I have a copy of the Spurling painting of her and am looking for other pictures / plans etc.

I already have most of what I need of the Cattewater (you may recall, it is place very familiar to me), its quay’s and piers, the moorings etc and much info on the old emigrant centre, supplied by Plymouth Naval Reference Library. They in turn wish this painting to be the centre piece of an exhibition of my work in Plymouth.

Other new paintings will include an example of a superyacht, suitable for exhibition display, maybe at Porto Fino at dusk, but which superyacht?
I’m looking for pictures of HM Submarine Unique and her sisters, can you help?

A painting of the great and tragic French marine explorer Laperouse at Botany Bay still needs good photos of Botany Bay, taken from sea ward, and better pictures of the 11 ships of the First Fleet.

Most recently, a friend in New York has been asking about paintings of the new USS New York (bow made from steel recycled from the World Trade Centre), and the coming anniversary of the war of 1812, a big event in the USA.

I wonder what the Canadians will make of this anniversary of the U.S trying to take over their country?
Also for 2012, just maybe the London Olympics; the organising committee are interested in marketing my work with Ben Ainslie and maybe similar new paintings.
If we can be of further assistance, don’t hesitate to e mail  info@frickers.co.uk or phone to ask.

~ ~ ~

My sincere thanks to all of you who take an interest in my art, you furthering the arts and are all helping my career.
My appreciation in particular those who send leads, commissions and pay the ultimate compliment, by saying those magic words  “I’ll buy it”!

Robin Knox- Johnston said to me, “Gordon like my work, you have no choice, it’s not a job it’s a calling”,

Wishing you happiness, good health and prosperity, and hoping we meet again soon,

Gordon Frickers, marine artist, Itzac, august 2009.

We hope this newsletter has been a pleasure for you and you will pass it on, your comments, contributions and plain old keeping in touch will be very welcome.

As Sarafsa is now thoroughly in the public domain here are a couple of photos snapped as my boat passed Sarafsa.  

I’d heard Sarafsa was in the Gulf of Arabia.

I was very pleased to see her not least because I painted her last year.

Iam not allowed to show the painting on my web site, a confidentiality agreement. (See http://www.frickers.co.uk/marine-art/superyachts.html ).

Sarafsa was a pleasure to paint, a beautifully built yacht. I wish people had consulted me about the interior decoration though, I felt that the interior deco had some weak moments.

UnfortunatelyI did not have time to say Hi to the crew.

I was en route to Saint Tropez – or is it St Tropez?

Maybe I’ll meet them again when I go to the Monaco Yacht Show at Monte Carlo in late September?

I hugely enjoyed working with my clients while I prepared to paint Sarafsa and am only disappointed this great marine painting remains even to the owner of Sarafsa, unknown.