Today I am with my friend of many many years (Dr)  Michael Baker, a man of many many talents including 2 degrees in computer programming.

This is proving a very busy and tiring visit to England not helped by the unseasonably cold weather which draws body heat and challenges the best physique.

Its November and we have snow forecast for the week end and La belle France is not escaping.

France already has 8 regions under orange alert.

This web site, www.frickers.co.uk can trace it’s ancestry online back to 1998, wonderful but.

Why but?

As you know, the Internet is a bit like the old “Wild West Frontier”, changing fast.

We are aware that the way surfers use the Internet is still evolving and has changed significantly in the past 3 years, added to which newer software is continuously offering better ways to communicate.

Thus we are working to further evolve this site in this case to make the business end of it more focused and easier for our prospective clients to use.

These improvements are in direct response to feed back from people like you, thanks mate.

We worry about your needs, we wish to bring you the best fine art  but this is not about us it is about making accessing our unique fine art and life easier, better for you and our prospective clients.

You comments and feed back are much appreciated,  thank you.

Currently we offer on our page Print Gallery,  8 choices of limited edition print, standard size, large framed etc plus we have enquiries world wide so currencies are an issue = a good page but (some) confusion.

We have found a neat way to make choosing what you want easier, more simple, without reducing the choices.

Impossible?

Test the new page yourself!

We have been able to reduce 8 choices to 4 online decisions and automatically convert the sale to the major currency of your choice.

While we still prefere payment in pounds, amounts can (we hope!) soon be seen in a choice of US dollar, Euro or Pounds without the need of  a currency converter.

We will of course retain our free currency converter, a proven useful piece of kit.

We are considering  including Australian and Canadian dollars too, what do you recommend?

So much for marine prints, once established we intend to extend the system to make it much easier to commission marine paintings, buy marine paintings and find the most useful information on the rich resource that is www.frickers.co.uk.

While you will of course appreciate it is only thanks to those people who pay us the ultimate compliament of “I’ll buy it” that we exist here. We still think it very important to continue to publish the often unique research and many stories that develope from and are inspired by the marine painting and other art work found on this web site.

Thus the plan is to retain our research resource for scholars and those of us with a passion for sea life.

We will continue to add to our “further reading” sections many of which are both authorative and read like sea stories, while helping those who wish to collect this art work to be able to do so without distraction, quickly and easily.

We hope you will find the new system faster, easier and of course because we are teamed with PayPal, as secure and safe as possible.

These are frequent questions so here are reliable answers, to guide you.

In brief our Heritage marine prints are “improved SuperGiclée ”

Each Heritage marine print is individually produced, signed and numbered for those discerning individuals who appreciate the best quality and investment.

Each print is produced on a fine art quality cotton canvas.
We offer a unique thus rare collection including some famous paintings, a wonderful investment very reasonably priced and we can print most of our other paintings to special order.

Prints can be purchased quickly, securely using Paypal on page

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

Description of Heritage marine prints follows below, what these marine prints are, are these special marine prints?

By the way, you can also find on www.frickers.co.uk detailed info on pages:
1. care of prints and framing prints on http://www.frickers.co.uk/care.html
2. Mounting cotton canvas prints http://www.frickers.co.uk/framing.html

The following is a summary of our web site page http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html followed by some remarks by our printer Alan Tooze of Adaptgraphics, Plymouth.

The Prestige Heritage Limited Editions are printed on cotton canvas that gives the look and feel of originals.

Each Prestige Heritage Limited Edition is numbered and signed by Gordon Frickers.

~

The following endorsements may further increase your confidence in us?

The Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm, HMS Seahawk (Culdrose, Cornwall) mess presented a copy of “I have urgent dispatches” to the Princess Royal, Princess Anne at one of their Trafalgar night dinners in appreciation of the support given in person by the Princess Royal to the 2005 commemoration of Trafalgar and the re enactment of the historic voyage of HMS Pickle to Falmouth, Cornwall. ~
Buckingham Palace agreed:

“the Princess was delighted to receive this beautiful picture”, (”I have Urgent dispatches“) “The Princess was over the moon” wrote our contact. (You may know, usually only original paintings are given to Royalty).

~
The quality is so remarkable people will often touch the unframed prints as if to re assure themselves.
“Your painting ‘I have urgent dispatches‘ hangs over the fireplace in our library and I feel very proud to have this painting of the Pickle. Perhaps we should work together on another concept soon?” ~ Peter Goodwin, author, Curator of HMS Victory at H.M. Naval Base, Portsmouth ~ and finally for an encore?
As each new marine print is individually produced supervised by the artist Gordon Frickers using the latest innovations available we hope you appreciate our aim is to bring you stunning first class quality prints with a high “wow” factor?
In the case of our Prestige Heritage Limited Editions, each marine print will arrive with the look and feel of an original painting.

~

Gordon Frickers, renowned for a number of internationally famous paintings, went to Art College at the tender age of 16, for 5 years emerging with a degree and London City and Guilds final, General Photography.
He has painted professionally since 1981; we have 38 years of personal and 400 years of combined professional experience for you to draw on.
World famous pictures, “Roaring Forties” for example have been commissioned; some are available as collectable Heritage prints from page http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html.
Ordering is quick and easy using the secure system Paypal, collect, share, enjoy.
~

Question to our printer Alan Tooze who brings each day a life time of experience in the print industry and is passionate about his work, and very high tech.
His reply may be of interest to you and your people.

Q. What is a Prestige canvas print?
A. Also called a Giclée print (comes from the French word meaning literally ‘to squirt’); this refers to the process in which the ink is laid down on the paper. Giclée is the name commonly given to an inkjet limited edition reproduction of an artwork, photograph or digitally created work. We now print on archival grade artist’s quality coated canvas, with HP Vivera pigment inks offering a lifespan of up to 200 years, using an HP Z6100 eight colour printer.
We previously used a seven colour Epson 9600 with Ultrachrome inks rated at up to 75 years.

Q. How long do canvas prints last?
A. This will depend totally on where they will be used. Exposure to UV light (daylight, especially sunlight) will cause ALL inks to fade eventually. Prints in bright rooms or in front of windows will fade sooner than those in controlled conditions such as galleries and museums where there is little or no daylight.

However as a guide: we use HP Vivera pigment inks which can last up to 200 years

Pigmented ink is made from natural, mineral and biological material mixed with resin, producing a color more fade and water resistant then traditional ink or dye. Archival pigment inks are made from 100 percent pigment in a fine micro-dispersion sprayed through a fine inkjet print head. This process allows a large amount and intensity of color to be applied. Archival pigmented ink is used in Giclee printing because digital printing process and fade resistance is a concern when printing digitally. This new technology eliminates problems with traditional print reproduction methods of color longevity.

The high resolution standards of Giclée printers can repeat original artwork faithfully without any visible dot patterns. True Giclée is reproduced on stretchable canvas or watercolor paper. The artist, working along with the printer, produces a print that is now a new art form.
~

Signed and numbered for those discerning individuals who demand the best each print is produced on a fine art quality cotton canvas
~

Hope this helps?
If you can’t find the answer here don’t hesitate to use our “contact us” page or the comments facility below.

We hope you agree, www.,frickers.co.uk is a significant resource; you may like to book mark this site for further reading  research and enjoyment?

Gordon Frickers © 2010

There is a selection of books we can highly recommend because

A. they feature Gordon Frickers marine painting and

B. they are excellent book (not that we are biased, much), see page

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

The books can be ordered via that page from Amazon.

The original of Trafalgar Dawn was sold about 15 years ago to a private collection however the owner has indicated he is now open to offers.

Offers can be made via Mr. 10% on this web site!

More affordable, Trafalgar Dawn is available as a superb quality numbered, signed, Prestige edition on printed canvas, from page
http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html
where it can be ordered 100%  securely using Paypal or by a direct bank to bank transfer.

The new Trafalgar Dawn is in an advanced stage of research and pre sketching following visits to research at Portsmouth and in Paris last December (as mentioned in this blog, early December).
As for

Nelson at Gibraltar, you can follow the development of this painting on this blog.

The painting has evolved from a drawing Gordon Frickers  made one evening in 1998 while in the member’s lounge of the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club.

Gordon was a very active member of the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club for many years and the club has 2 magnificent marine paintings of his in it’s collection.

One features the Royal Yacht Britannia HRH Queen Elizabeth disembarking, to visit Plymouth, the other shows a typical Spring Series race of the period and is very rich in details.

That original sketch was intended as an idea for a painting of the French navigator and discoverer Laperouse entering Botany Bay.

The Laperouse painting is an other currently under development after a long interval.

Gordon was researching for the Laperouse painting and Nelson at Gibraltar last November at H.M. Hydrographic Office, Taunton,  and another reason he was in Paris and at the Muse de Laperouse, Albi (Laperouse home town).

A friend of his, Chris Boddington former very successful lawyer and a skilled painter in his own right, saw the sketch last summer and suggested it would work well as a painting of Nelson transferring from HMS Captain to HMS Minerve at Gibraltar so guess what?

Since the attached pic was taken, the composition and colouring have advanced significantly.

There will be a new blog entry on this painting of Nelson and Gibraltar  in the next few days.

~

Also currently for re sale, given an offer they can’t refuse,  by clients of Gordon Frickers are the following Marine Paintings, several quite famous,  (by the way we should mention, prices often with paintings are the reverse of most cars so re sale prices are likely to be considerably more than the vendors paid or the current price of new paintings direct from the artist):

“H.M. Schooner “Pickle”, carrying the news of the Battle of Trafalgar”

“Nelson’s Column”

“Trafalgar Dawn”

“First Shots, Trafalgar”

“Nelson’s Pickle, first with the news”

“Ferriera” ex “Cutty Sark”, “Last Departure” (mentioned on this blog, 27.01.10)

~

Another  email was an invitation to go on a Dutch gallery web site ( for a fee).
The site seems to feature mostly Russian artists, some quite good.
It has no marine artist.
It did have an interesting link to a gallery in California, that set Gordon thinking…
He does not  have a list of galleries which might be worth approaching, should he have one?
Can you recommend any galleries?

At last I am able to again  accept offers of exhibitions!

Despite and because of the severe weather making roads all but impassable and much other activity difficult,  I have finally catalogued the framed marine prints here. 

One at least is still missing, where is it?

All the marine paintings and marine prints in the store room, landscapes, aviation paintings and others remaining unlisted since I sold my home of 22 years in Plymouth are now listed and HURRAH for that.

Plus many of the prints that were out on loan, to the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club, Mount Batten Watersport Centre and others “exiled” have been ingathered.

The Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club still retain and rightly, the 2 beautiful 24″ x 36″ paintings by my hand, in their member’s lounge.

Those were commissioned when Captain Paul Willerton (MN) was Commodore.

The then committee having under Paul Willerton’s very able leadership, steered the club through a difficult period into brighter days wished to commemorate for future generations, some thing of the club then.

Hence the 2 fine paintings, one of an event involving  HM the Queen and Royal Yacht Britannia, the other club racing on the home waters of  Plymouth Sound.

I still have a problem recovering paintings from Gallerie Marin, Appledore.

Audrey Hinks is not answering my messages and has not paid me for a painting she said she sold in Feb 2009…

Audrey was always very enthusiatic about my work, sold lots, the best gallery owner I associated with so I am fearful for her health and well being, she is a lovely person but getting on a bit, any news would be welcome…

Anyone from Plymouth going to Appledore and able to help?

This ingathering of my “children” is basically in preparation for a new strategy to show and sell more often in both England and France.

The catalyst has partly been the invitation to show my marine painting at the European Parliament, Brussels.

The news is causing much interest and some excitement already and of course is a great stimulant for any artist.

I am told I am the first marine artist, first artist from Midi Pyrenees, first from Plymouth and definitely the first from Itzac to be invited to show at the European Parliament, really, ever ever!

~

The weather here has brighted up. 

Temperatures have remained below zero all day.

I suppose if most of us think of wine and vines at all we think of vinyards basking in warm sunshine?

Right now we here in the Tarn have vinyards blanketed in snow! 

Ditches are decorated with cars and vans so all is very peaceful if some what chilly.

~

The time today has been well used though, reorganising my stock of marine prints and paintings.

There is a list of the  prints below, the paintings list is not yet complete, maybe tomorrow?

Over recent years numerous exhibition offers have been declined, so which offer and where will be first to be accepted after this re grouping?

I have been just to busy and stressed to cope.

However the prospect of an exhibition at the EuroP has raised my status (a huge thank you to the MEP responsible!).

It seems I am now flavour of the month?

Even the blindest of galleries can now see value in showing an exhibition that has just come from the EuroParli… well well well…

Of course you and I know, this has nothing to do with my work improving or what ever.

One can see the same dedication in paintings and drawings from 20 and 30 years earlier so what is this all about?

Granted I am now much better know, even a little famous.

I doubt that is what is making the difference though.

I think it has much more to do with the quality of the people I am now able to meet, partly thanks to this amazing medium, the Internet.

Do you have an opinion on this?

~

As I write this evening, the temperature here at Itzac  is – 6 C this evening.

The day has been very pleasant, quite a lot of sun, surprisingly warm when one is out of the wind. 

Still not warm enough to thaw any ice.

Tomorrow we are fore cast to have + 5 C, enough to make a difference, you tell me?

~

Gradually the problem of cataloguing my marine prints and marine paintings is being sorted, my excellent friend Francoise Boitel being very supportive and helping “organise” me today.

All the prints have been listed and re packaged, packaging being marked to save time in the future.

Not “rocket science”, time consuming but an investment.

Next on this agenda will be the landscape paintings followed by the paintings currently unframed and unlisted on my web site.

I have some exciting experimental landscapes to show and set pieces like the study of the “Flying Scotsman on the Tamar Bridge” (I K Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge) with Pullman coaches Available in print but not yet on the web site so email me for details.

I’ll try and post the news as soon as I have it.

~

Christmas is coming, or so I am told?

To late now to order a gift from my print list  for Christmas …

see

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

I heard today from Richard at the Tavistock Inn, Poundsgate, Dartmoor,  re his copy of the picture of “Jane Banks entering Bermuda” (you may recall Jane Banks was the final running mate of the more famous Waterwitch (both now available as prints exclusively from this web site).

Richard texted: “the picture picked up and your right it looks like an original.

I’m absolutely thrilled with it.

I’m sure my mother will be  too when she visits  me tomorrow“.

List of available framed prints follows below (soon that is).

~

Winter solstice on the 21st, or in more pagan terms, paganus meaning rural as we all know, the moment of rebirth, regrowth…
Itzac is ready, charmingly decorated by devoted villagers.

I don’t know how old the lavatoire shown here is, do you? 

People have been using the lavatoire for how many generations, since pre Roman times maybe?
I guess in former times it was one of the centeres of village life, how many clothes washed and tales were told there?

I’ve not seen anyone using it recently in this weather…  

I have noticed a double earthen bank astride the road that runs into the village.
No one knows the earth works origin, that includes the + 80 plus year olds who’s first language is not French it is L’Occiataine.
The double banks and some other features here look to me reminiscent of a bronze age hill top settlement, pre Christian, pre Gallic, pre Gaulic, pre Gaillac, pre Gaelic what ever, you tell me maybe?
No one has ever investigated remote, tanquile Itzac.
Now Hanukkah is past and Christmas 2009 is almost upon us, soon it will be new year, time to rejoice and move ahead!
December is ebbing away fast?
Are we heading for a white Christmas with snow bells? 
God only knowing what we’re heading for?

~

Oh, and that list of the prints you can’t have for Christmas?

Prints in frames        Dec-09        Stock list

Title                                              size inc frame                             details

Ice Maiden                                        730 x 625        No .284 ~ signed by Tracy Edwards
I have urgent dispatches            860 x 760        Artist’s proof 5
A dispute settled                            870 x 660        No 1
I have urgent dispatches            670 x 600        Nos. 2, 16
Roaring Forties                               740 x 600        Nos. 23, 24, 31 ~ signed by R K-J
Mauretania                                       820 x 690        Artist’s proof 2
Royal Yacht Britannia                 720 x 630        No. 46 & artist’s proof XIII
Vagrant off Cowes                          445 x 340        open edition
A dispute settled                            445 x 340        open edition
Advocate off Cape Town             445 x 340        open edition
Cutty Sark and Thermopylae    445 x 340    open edition
Seal of Aproval                               445 x 340        open edition
Port of Chester 1863                     720 x 530        Nos. 1, 203, 302 ~ signed by the mayor of Chester
Trees in a breeze                             690 x 600        artist’s proof
Trees in a breeze                             610 x 520        artist’s proof
Waterwitch off Gribben Head    760 x 590        No. 9
Trafalgar Dawn                                 1150 x 530    No. 10
Roaring Forties                                980 x 780        No. 5, ~ signed by R K-J
I have urgent dispatches              870 x 760     Artist’s proof 4
Jane Banks entering Bermuda    760 x 590        No. 2 ~ at The ArtCentre, Kell Bray, Cornwall

List of paintings in stock and unframed prints available soon, whoppee?

~

And the best way to move around the Tarn at present remains …

My car is not going any ware for a while…

I have been invited to show next year at the European Parliament, quite an honour, very very few British artists have show, Exhibit at the European Parliament

Still quad bike weather here and even the quad bike is sliding. 

The roads remain almost impassable.

We are hearing from Castelnau, little traffic and only cars with chains are moving safely around hereand even them with caution.

It is very clear from catalogues of the marine art auctions Christi’s Bonham’s etc that there are bargains at auction with well know marine artist’s work selling for half the price of 3 years ago.

Will this marine art ever be cheaper?

Hardest hit are the copy cat artists. People who “copy”, emulate, the style of marine painters such as Tim Thompson and Stephen Dews.

The more original marine art work is holding it’s price rather better.

Happily I have a published price list on my web site and am happy to remain a bargain selling mostly in the 2 to 10 thousand pound / Euro range.

More good news, just received the following from my friends at the New York Yacht Club re Prestige limited edition marine prints of “I have urgent dispatches“, of HMS Pickle carrying the news of Trafalgar and the death of Lord Nelson.

“You will be pleased to know that your prints were scooped up at about $200
each.  We should have started higher!  I had not intended to sell mine, but
I had to since a bidder was very keen–and he bid higher than the other two
high bidders.

All proceeds from the silent auction go to the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth.

I will order another for myself in the near future“. S.M.

Seems my marine art is holding it’s value?

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.

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