Frickers, Artist, CV, Summary.

Distinctive and original paintings from Gordon Frickers.

You have noticed the distinctive, resonating, colours and enduring qualities of Gordon Frickers paintings?

Gordon Frickers is noted for highly original paintings, Gordon Frickers is unusual among living artists in that he has several world famous paintings to his credit and has not finished painting yet. There remain commissions to complete and paintings that “need to be done”. His is a 45 years of painting  and an ongoing story.

Hyperlink To CONTACT Gordon Frickers, artist, painter.

“At last I have a real painting in my house” wrote Tim Maltin, award winning Maltin PR see https://uk.linkedin.com/in/timmaltin ] owner of “Nelson at Gibraltar” and “Titanic’s Plymouth Harbour”.

For this C. V., none of the lists are comprehensive. This is not the usual boring C V. I have ‘cherry picked’ for you just some of the notable events, achievements, lists of clients, exhibitions and publications from the 45 plus years of my Gordon Frickers history & my development as a painter and liberally added photographs, enjoy, profit and don’t hesiate to contact us .

Introduction.

To accept the challenge, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said “a calling”. To be the best, most innovative and creative artist I can be, no holding back, to create enduring worthy paintings, to inform and inspire.

Many distinguished people and renowned companies have chosen Gordon Frickers paintings and prints.

Current projects include “Famous and Picturesque Wine Villages of Bordeaux” and “The Second Circumnavigation”.

My most widely known project is the “Nelson and Trafalgar” series.

I was born at Beckenham in Kent in 1949 so that makes me a ‘Kentish Man’ as opposed to a man of Kent. I was certainly born as the son of Captain Alan and Mrs Winifred Ann Frickers.

Gordon Frickers is unusual among living artists.

His versatility is exceptional and he has some famous paintings to his credit. Paintings that have been reproduced in journals world wide.

Gordon Frickers is one of the very few artists whose paintings have been honoured by an invitation to exhibit in the European Parliament (May 2011).

Gordon Frickers paintings have special and enduring qualities in part because of his unique colour vision. A trait he shares with some of the great masters of our past. Why this is so is a story in itself. 

If you’d like to discover more don’t hesitate, contact and ask me, Gordon Frickers, or ask for the book I have been requested to write by a Bloomsbury (London) editor, the brief being “The paintings and life of Gordon Frickers”.

Contents, Part 1.

1. Current location.
2. Auctions.
3. Galleries, exhibitions.
4. Clients, Employment History.
5. Press and publicity.
6. Publications.
7. Honours and Awards.
8. What people say, a few client quotations.
9. Painterly qualities and education.
10. Gordon Frickers Maritime Experience.

Contents Part 2

1. Right, you’ve done the summary, if you’d like more ‘eretiz, for fun, facts and photos …
2. Gordon Frickers paintings at auctions.
3. Gordon Frickers the artist, the painter.

1. Current location

Studio at Théhillac Village, Brittany, office at Emsworth, England.

You are welcome to visit my studio in France; please, by appointment.

2. Auctions; Gordon Frickers paintings are rarely listed with auction houses, people tend to keep his paintings.

It is though quite likely you will have seen art of Gordon Frickers in the press, magazines, in books, on the Internet, on TV or social media and in the better galleries.

3. Galleries, exhibitions by Gordon Frickers.

1. * European Parliament by invitation a sole show of 35 paintings May 2011. The catalogue/book is “Life On The Ocean Wave” ISBN ISBN 0-978-0-9569109-0-5. I have a few copies left if you’d like one.
   
   

   

2. * Army and Navy Club, Saint James, Pall Mall, London, ‘The Trafalgar Soirée’ in the Wellington Room, Nov 2016.
   

   

3. * HMS Victory, Official Artist during preparations for the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar, a singular honour. This adventure would make a booklet in itself. My wide ranging research including visiting archives in France, Spain and England where I discovered much information previously lost. I am the only person in the history of HMS Victory to have the honour of this title ‘Official Artist’ to HMS Victory. 
   

   

4. * Museum ‘Invincible Vigneron’ at Broze, France. ‘The Port of Gaillac 1863’ which measures 2000 x 1000 is one of the museum’s ‘quay’ paintings in more senses than one. 
   

   

5. * The Lapérouse Museum, Albi, France, exhibited Dec 2019.
   

   

6. * Gaillac Cultural Centre, paintings of domains and châteaux by invitation of the ville de Gaillac. “More than a match for anything in the Musée d’Orsay”, said Alain Soreano, author, historian, Maire-Adjoint, Chargé de la Culture et du Patrimoine, Ville de Gaillac, when introducing Frickers exhibition, December 2016.
   

   

7. * Queen Elizabeth II, on board by invitation of Cunard Line 1996.
8. * THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR NORTHERN CONVOYS (prints available) in Saint Petersburg, Russia. “Arctic Convoy” is the only painting by a British artist included. Permanent exhibition on their website, see pageThe Northern Convoys 1941-1945; see Worksof Foreign Artists.
   

   

9. Harwich exhibition by invitation of the Harwich Mayflower Association 2017.
10. * Hotel de Ville, (town hall), L’isle sur Tarn, an exhibition of landscapes and marine paintings 2011.
    

    

11. *Armada de Chile(National Navy of Chile) painting and prints commissioned by the MoD, presented and installed onboard the frigate 2007 plus a series of prints for those who worked on the project.
12. * The British Ambassador’s Residence, Paris exhibition, Dec 2009.
    

    

13. * Government of Oman(a series of dhows as paintings for various public buildings).
14. * The 1864 Centre, exhibition May 2006, Jerusalem, Israel.
15. * Brest 96, Civic Reception, Maison de Culture, Ville de Brest 1996. This civic honour was timed to coincide with the awesome Brest 96 Traditional Boat Festival.
    

    

16. * Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm, Culdrose, HMS Seahawk Mess, a Trafalgar exhibition.
17. * “The Port of Chester 1863”was honoured with a Civic Reception and exhibition of others of my paintings in the very impressive town hall. 400+ guests attended the City Hall, City of Chester, 1993.90 prints were sold that night and another 100 soon after by the gallery A. E. Dutton & Sons of Chester. A total to date of 428 prints have sold.
    

    

    

18. *The University of Plymouth.
19. * Plymouth Marine Laboratory
20. * Cornish Society of Artists, first prize, 1995
21. * Yachting World/Rolex-Swan prize artist no less than a remarkable four times.
22. * Buckingham Palace (Sept 1991), invitation of Prince Philippe.
23. * London International Boat Show, several times most notably 1991 with “Roaring Forties“ when The Times (of London) referred to “Roaring Forties” as “Dry Humour…“.
24. * The World Ship Society, Falmouth AGM.
25. * Plymouth City Museum.
26. * The Mount Batten Watersport Centre, Plymouth.
27. * Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes.
28. * Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club. Two paintings of major events run by the club, for the member’s lounge.
29. * ‘Cutty Sark’ on board with her Captain Simon Waite.
    
    

    

30. * Gallerie Marine, Appledore, was for many years when Audery Hinks was proprietor, selling my French landscapes
31. * Royal Society of Marine Artists at Pall Mall, London, exhibited many times, and many other galleries as far apart as Chester and St Ives Cornwall.

4. Clients, Employment History. The ultimate compliment, I’ll buy it,

This is not an inclusive list or in a particular order.

Gordon Frickers list of distinguished clients and patron’s was described by Audrey Hinks of Gallerie Marin (Appledore) as “formidable”, they include:

1. 1. The Princess Royal, Princess Anne  “the princess was over the moon“.
   2. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston  “I’d love another Frickers painting“.
      

      

   3. Drachinifel, the most distinguished naval historiographer, see Utube
      

      

   4. Pete Goss, OBE, legion d’Honor, “I got exactly the painting I’d hoped for“.
      

      

   5. Count [Comte et Comtesse] Charles-Octave de Noblet d’Anglure.
   6. H.M.S. Victory, official artist from 1993 during the preparations for Trafalgar 200.
   7. Tracy Edwards MBE, Maiden G.B.  “It makes me feel I’m back on board!“ (Tracy Edwards).
      

      

   8. Tom Cunliffe for the BBC Series Boats that built Britain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxuf9ElEqWE
   9. British Telecom (Marine) Ltd, presentation paintings of CS Sovereign and CS Nexus.
   10. Audiobooks, The maintenance race, front cover.
   11. BVT Surface Fleet LtdRegistered supplied to formally BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions).
   12. Yamaha Off The Needles, painting for their Head office board room in Japan and as greetings cards.
       

       

   13. Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd/Devonport Management Ltd, a secretly built superyacht ‘Sarafsa’.
   14. Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd a series of paintings of new ferries.
   15. PHOTO – With Calmac MD, Captain J Simkins at Castletown, Barra, Outer Hebrides.or onboard with painting.
   16. Tim Maltin [Maltin PR] (painting of the “Titanic’s Plymouth Harbour).
       

       

       

   17. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.
   18. His Highness Shiek Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani.
   19. Babcock Marine
   20. Cunard Line, exhibition & demonstrations for passengers.
   21. Deloitte & Touché, 
   22. Old Mutual plc.
   23. Government of Oman, a series of dhow paintings for public buildings.
   24. Photo with Pete
   25. Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm Culdrose, HMS Seahawk mess a special picture for the Princess Royal.
   26. City of Chester(Civic reception for “The Port of Chester 1863“ and an exhibition of 30 paintings).
       

       

   27. Sir Richard Branson, painting of Virgin Atlantic Challenger II crossing the finish line
   28. Yachting World, on many occasions!
   29. Peter Goodwin, naval author, former Keeper of HMS Victory.
       

       

   30. Dr. Sam Willis, author, professor of maritime studies at Exeter University
   31. Captain Igor Kozyr, author of Frozen Fury, Russian version ISBN 9 78590 180379  
   32.       
   33. David J B Smith, author ofThe Battle of Cawsand Bay,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIVt8s5iz4I
   34. Detlef Hechtel, author of
       

       

   35. Pendennis Shipyard, paintings for owners of superyachts.
   36. The New York Yacht Club, prints auction during their ’Pickle Night’ dinners.
   37. H.M.S. Somerset, Officer’s presentation to retiring Captain. 
       

       

   38. The Times Clipper Ventures, painting and limited edition signed prints.
       

       

   39. La Maire de Sauternes.
       

       

   40. Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing
   41. 
   42. Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing, cover for best selling book.
       

       

   43. Blue Arrow, America’s Cup Challenger.
   44. The National Trust, exhibitions at Saltram & etc.
   45. Imperial Tobacco(Award won).
   46. Marine Projects (now known asPrincess Yachts).
   47. Coe Metcalf Shipping Ltd.
   48. Corum – French Admirals Cup Sponsor for head office in Switzerland.
   49. Henri Lloyd Ltd.
   50. Sail Training Association.
       

       

   51. CPC (United Kingdom) Limited presentation painting for retiring MD, company name changed in 1998 toBest Foods Inc.
       

       

   52. Michael McNamara Sails.
   53. Peter de Savery.
   54. Royle Publications Ltd calendar and numerous greetings cards.
   55. Gordon Fraser Gallery, numerous greetings cards.
   56. Cornish Cream of Saint Ives, Cornwall, liqueur label,
       

       

5. Press and publicity.

1. Yachting Monthly (“Iconic painting”).
   

   

2. The Times of London, Tuesday 18 July 1989, a half page about “Roaring Forties”.
3. ckers in Western Morning News 09.07.05.
   

   

4. Classic Boat September 2006
5.  Superyacht Business, the Best of British 2009/10.
6. Yachting Monthly [May 2019]
   

   

7. Lloyd’s List International 1991 wrote a 3/4 page article that was particularly helpful: “Gordon has more than a casual affinity with Britain’s Seafarer’s”.
   

   

8. Warships International Fleet Review, July 2011, 3 page colour spread.
   

   

9. Sea Breezes June 2011, 3 page colour spread.
10. Marine Quarterly, May 3. 2011.
11. Yachting Monthly May 2011
12. Yachts and Yachting 4 page colour spread.
13. La Depeche article about Gordon Frickers, artist.
    

    

14. Geography Directions, site for the Royal Geographic Society, 11 Sept 2012 (review of Emigration, Plymouth Cattewater).
15. Sea Breezes May 2013.
16. Warships International Fleet Review, profile April 2013.
    

    

17. La Depeche, Tarn, France, profile 08/2014.
    

    

18.  SEA HISTORY 132, AUTUMN 2010, (National Maritime Historical Society of the USA).
19. Reader’s Digest, article about Roaring Forties, May 2015.
    1. Warships International Fleet Review 4 page article about warship paintings April 2015

20. 

    

21. Western Morning News, June 2015.
22. Castine Historical Society Newsletter March 2015 (CHS Visitor Spring15_finalWeb 15.03.15)
23. NZZ am Sonntag, Postfach, CH – 8021 Zürich, 17 June 2018
24. www.superyachtuk.com, “Gordon Frickers honours Golden Globe Race with painting” 08.11.2018
25. 1805 Club of North America journal, February 2019
26. Cape Horn Society Journal June 2019.

6. Publications, YouTube, Journals, magazines, Radio, TV,books, websites,

1. * Debrett’s Distinguished People of Today.
2. * Who’s Who Art and Antiques and not very accurately on Wikipedia.
3. * The Battle of Cawsand Bay,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIVt8s5iz4I
4. * BBC Series Boats that built Britain, Episode 2, “The Trafalgar News”, a BBC documentary narrated by Tom Cunliffe first Broadcast 4 April 2010.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxuf9ElEqWE
5. * Interviewed regularly by Gordon Sparks on BBC SW Radio Devon.
   For exampleGordon Sparks with Gordon Frickers, talking about colour on radio, a classic on 9 October 2008
6. * Frickers, Gordon, author of  “Life On The Ocean Wave” ISBN 0-978-0-9569109-0-5.
   

   

7. * Gordon Frickers has also written numerous articles for journals and magazines as varied as Sea Breezes, Yachting Monthly and the 1805 Club of North America Journal.
8. The Nelson Almanac, edited by David Harris, Picture editor Anthony Cross, published in association with the Warwick Leadley Gallery, Conway Maritime Press, The Chrysalis Building, Bramley Rd, London, W10 6SP published in 1998,
   ISBN 0-85177-755-4
9. Nelson’s Ships, P Goodwin, Conway Maritime Press, The Chrysalis Building, Bramley Rd, London, W10 6SP published in GB 2002.
   ISBN 0-85177-742-2
10. Ships of Trafalgar, P. Goodwin, Conway Maritime Press, The Chrysalis Building, Bramley Rd, London, W10 6SP published in 2005,
    ISBN 1-84486-015-9
11. • Fighting Ships 1750-1850,
      Author: Sam Willis with an introduction by N.A.M. Rodger, Quercus Publishing Plc, 2007, ISBN 1847241719
    • Others include books in India, in Dubai (Published Bloomsbury and Quercus Publishing PLC)

    • 

      • In France in the national school text book for 14 to 18 year students, Histoire-géographie EMC 2de bac pro  15362 Dec 2019 [painting of the frigate Hermione].

    Other Websites : A few of the other websites his work appears on are:

    • www.artfickers.com
    • http://www.winsornewton.com/
    • http://www.biship.com/
    • http://www.frenchentree.com/
    • http://www.hmspickle.org.uk/
    • http://www.wivenhoe.gov.uk/
    • and numerous commercial sites such as:
      • http://en.easyart.com/

7. Honours and Awards

1. * Exhibited by invitation at the European Parliament, May 2011.
   
2. Official Artist to HMS Victory 1993 for the run up to Trafalgar 200 in 2005.
3. * ‘Fete des Lanternes’ Gordon Frickers is the only European Artist invited to the Opening Ceremony of the Chinese-French ‘Fete des Lanternes’ 30 Nov 2019. This because his paintings demonstrably influenced the Chinese artists.
4. * Concours Photo 2015, La ville de Gaillac. (Subject « Le jardin de tous les plaisirs ».
5. * Presentation of a Roll of Honour 1996, City of Plymouth Guildhall for “Outstanding Contribution to theCity of Plymouth.
6. * Four times chosen Yachting World/Rolex-Swan prize artist.
7. * 1st prize (oils) 1995 Cornish Society of Artists.
8. * For over 15 years Gordon Frickers was the only artist member of the British Marine Federation, Super Yacht UK and the Marine Trade Federation.

8. What people say, a few client quotations.

1. * “Gordon Frickers will strike most people as very sociable and certainly articulate.
   He not only entertains he also informs you in an engaging way about topics he knows well”.
2. * “you get an intimate front row seat to history” S M, Brazil.

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

   

4. “It has everything except the noise, which you never forget”, Pete Goss speaking about his painting “Spirit of Mystery”.

5. My good fortune has and still is to work for and with many distinguished individuals some of whom have become friends and for many famous companies.

6. “Dear Gordon, It got here safe and sound! The painting is magnificent and stunning. Each aspect of the painting exceeds my expectations. While your paintings are beautiful to look at over the internet, the actual painting has a warmth that can only be felt by seeing the real thing. Thanks for a great experience, Eric E, Florida USA.

9. Painterly qualities and education of Gordon Frickers.

* Gordon Frickers is best known for his memorable, outstanding marine paintings and noted for the distinctive handling of his landscape paintings. 

* Gordon Frickers has very unusual eyesight. To say he is a Deuteranope is to over simplify. His sight produces a rich and unusual colour experience. This is a gift he has in common with some of the greatest past masters including Cézanne Degas, Dürer, Titian and Rembrandt, Monet.

* His form of ‘colour blindness’ is better termed and described in more detail as anomalous colour vision.

* According to various amusing tales my parents related, I showed a ‘talent’ for painting from a very early age. More stories for the book about ‘my art works and life’!

Professor Francis Pratt wrote “Gordon is special:

• Because of his commitment, the range and depth of his knowledge of  painting, drawing, of colour and Art History.

• Because he benefits from the creativity of working in parallel on two approaches, spontaneous works coupled with planned meticulous attention.

• Because Gordon Frickers has naturally a special form of colour vision, a trait he shares with some of the great masters of the past”.

Good teaching helps, in that I, Gordon Frickers am fortunate,

studying at distinguished schools of fine art in England and France.

My tutors have included such renowned artists as Gerard de Rose and Christopher Ironsides during 2 years Maidstone College of Art. I was also very fortunate at Maidstone to gain a though grounding in ‘Art History’.

Norman Tudgay, Geoff Drury and Jim Buddle during my 3 years at Medway College of Art.

Time was also well spent supervised by Francis Pratt who’s owe tutors included Michael Kidner, Professor Bohusz-Szyszko who in turn learned from Pierre Bonnard who in turn learned from and was a friend of “the master of all painter, Cezanne”.

10. Gordon Frickers Maritime Experience.

1. * studied and qualified as a ship and boat builder at Falmouth Technical College.
2. I worked 10 years in the marine industry building and racing sailboats, forming his own business, South East Boat Builders Limited and employing 9 staff.
3. * I learnt to sail at Dartmouth, Devon.
4. * I learned my ‘old school’ basic seamanship and small craft handling around the Medway, Swale and Thames estuary. This included learning from the last true British sailor men. The last generation of men who worked under sail with cargo.
5. This on the same waters Drake, Cook and Nelson learnt their small boat handling.
6. * These and related experiences awakened my interests in ship and boat building also in the saving of historic vessels.
7. * For over 15 years Gordon Frickers was the only artist member of the British Marine Federation, Super Yacht UK and the Marine Trade Federation.

I thank you for your interest and can never thank enough the literally hundreds of good people who have over many years contributed information, often unique, to enrich my paintings and the texts on my various websites.

If you think I may be of further assistance don’t hesitate to ask via the ‘contact’ link.

Hyperlink To CONTACT Gordon Frickers, artist, painter.

Gordon Frickers, Théhillac, March 2025.

It is fair to state, over the past 38 years the Art of Gordon Frickers has proven a reliable investment, encouraged by a growing appreciation and the unusual achievement for a living artist of several paintings now world famous.

Most recently (2022) his work has been used (under licence) by Audible Books and the online U S journal ‘Work In Progress’.

There is a formidable list of distinguished individuals and famous companies, many mentioned below, who own examples of Frickers work.

Your best value is to buy from an established, acclaimed artist, from a reputable, dedicated  artist, from me, Gordon Frickers.

2. Gordon Frickers in Brief :

• All the paintings are given a unique quality by Gordon’s special colour vision, gifts he shares with some of the great masters of the past.
  

  

3. The art of Gordon Frickers in more detail :

In recent years Gordon Frickers has for good reasons, become increasingly well known and appreciated.

You can be confident that if you enjoy what you see on this web site, you will not forget seeing an original painting and experience the full force of his commitment.

There are the often surprising colours and textures, the lustre, depth, meticulous attention, detail, atmospheres and by no means least, his perception.

Gordon’s work is noted for many qualities that engage us and  stimulate our imagination.

These qualities include a rare vivid sense of emotional and physical presence, a knack of combining abstraction with precise detail, including often ground breaking research and attention that goes way beyond normal, lighting, depth and luminosity.

Frickers is Currently working on among other things a “Picturesque and Famous Wine Villages of Bordeaux’ series.

This is an ambitious and novel approach that offers considerable scope for combined exhibitions with products of the region, wines, food, tourism and those who work with the appropriate industries, chefs, authors, journalists and so on.

A large subject with grand potential including for sponsors.

Gordon Frickers was Born Beckenham, Kent, England in 1949.

• During higher education Frickers learnt to sail at Dartmouth, around the Medway and Swale the latter with the last true British sailor men, the last generation of men who worked without engines, under sail with cargo.
• This was on the same waters Drake, Cook and Nelson learnt their small boat handling.
• Vin, au Chateaux, Gaillac, December 2016, at the invitation of the municipal, ville de Gaillac.“More than a match for anything in the Musee d’Orsay”,
  said Alain Soreano, author, historian, poet, Maire-Adjoint, Chargé de la Culture et du Patrimoine, Ville de Gaillac, when introducing this Gordon Frickers Exhibition, December 2016.

See also Appraisals.

Frickers Fine Art, buying from distinguished artists is consistently proven to be one of the very best investments.

You can purchase securely (in instalments by arrangement) online or bank to bank and are covered by an unbeatable guarantee.

Quote :

Yacht “King of Hearts“: “It is already giving me great pleasure and reminding me to make more time available for the joy of sailing“,  Clive. R. King.