Possible projects include a Laperouse painting, one or 2 on the theme of Nelson and Trafalgar (because the Victory 2005 series are about to become available for sale, I will write the story here soon) a further famous wine village series this time involving more working people in the paintings,  and I have a new idea that relates to paintings about some of the big issues of our times.

(more…)

All days are special,  some more so.

Today I drove to Taunton and had an incredible day at the Admiralty Hydrographic Office research department.

I was looking for period drawings of Botany Bay (Laperouse) and Gibraltar (Nelson)  for 2 marine paintings I am planning and thanks to Guy Hannaford, what a day I had!  (more…)

L’association Laperouse, a dynamic association based around the Museum of Laperouse in the old quarter of  Albi launched a new book with champagne and  “la galette des rois” about recent discoveries relating to Laperouse.

You may be aware of Laperouse? 

Laperouse, navigator and discoverer was literally the French answer to Captain James  Cook and the HMS Endeavour. (more…)

I have been speaking to Peter Goodwin, Curator and Keeper of HMS Victory and author of numerous definitive books on historic marine subjects.

Peter is very concerned that there are structural problems in Victory caused by poor repairs and the committees responsible are not listening to him …

Thus I was able to bring Peter some moral support and light relief with some marine news. (more…)

Several interesting emails today, all 3 enquiries for marine paintings (not marine prints) about Nelson and Trafalgar.
Curiously this makes 3 enquiries for that sort of painting in the past week…
Seems a bit like the old joke about waiting for buses?
Of course, followers of this blog will know, Gordon has a new marine painting on that subject, Nelson at Gibraltar,  in production (hence insert pop up pic here) at this moment and another, a new version of Trafalgar Dawn, almost ready to start. (more…)

Gibraltar, Nelson, HMS Minerve, HMS Captain is beginning to reveal how the final marine painting will look.

There have been some significant developments in this marine painting  including Gordon Frickers is able to be the first, here to show  some results of collaboration, new research into the quality of the bright yellow preferred by Nelson on his ships, more on that below… (more…)

This will I hope you agree,  will be a splendid marine painting; eventually to be shown in a classic hand made swept frame.

The frame alone will cost some £500.00 (more…)

Marine paintings unfinished, ekkkk!  Laperouse at Botany Bay not started and the weeks before May 23rd and the exhibition at the European Parliament down to single figures. 
Cool calm and collected used to be my mantra for start lines when racing in big fleets; I have found another use for it guess what? (more…)