Gallery

As mentioned earlier, Ernie, given free rein, would almost always have opted to paint in oils.


However, should the subject or his client or his mood demand, he was happy to work in any medium.


As you can see here, from examples of his work, his overwhelming interest was focused on the sea and the sky; and the characters and scenes from a lifetime's contact with - and immersion in - Local Maritime History. 

Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson

Photographed in situ at Great Yarmouth Minster
Truly a Local Hero, Nelson was born in the village of Burnham Thorpe in the King's Lynn District of North Norfolk, and is celebrated throughout the county. Even the road signs which herald your entry proclaim that you are entering "Norfolk - Nelson's County".

Ernie painted this 60 x 48 inches (approx.) framed portrait in oils on canvas in 2004/5, taking almost a year to complete.  It was painted initially to provide the image for the Limited Edition Tankard he carved in 2005 and other commemorative wares that were made by Great Yarmouth Potteries to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of The Battle of Trafalgar.
The range of commemorative items sold worldwide.
 
Since that time it has been in constant demand, in its ornate Italian gilt frame, for many public exhibitions and displays. Examples of which are the Annual Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival; The Town Hall and The Minster Church of St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth.
 
Having served the public's interest faithfully over several years since its creation, the framed portrait is now offered for outright sale at £4,000.


The Battle Of Trafalgar

Photographed in situ at Great Yarmouth Minster
Painted in oils in 2001 to be ready for the 200th Anniversary of  The Battle Of Trafalgar.

The 56 x 44 inch canvas (63 x 52 inch approx.  gilt-framed) painting depicts Nelson's flagship HMS Victory and other vessels of the british fleet, engaged in the victorious battle with Napoleon's combined French and Spanish fleets off the south west coast of Spain in 1805.

Like the Nelson portrait and many of his large paintings, Ernie produced this canvas over many months, to provide the basis of the front of a hand-carved Limited Edition Tankard and a lithographic image for other commemorative wares on the occasion of the 200th Anniversary of the battle.

The items included bone china mugs; plates; bells and cup & saucer sets -  all made on the premises at Great Yarmouth Potteries. They were sold to Collectors and casual customers and despached worldwide. 

This painting has been exhibited at several locations and for several events related to the Anniversary of the Battle and other Maritime Events. Now offered for sale at £2,500.

YH66 Yarmouth Diesel Powered Drifter - Irene

Photographed in situ at Great Yarmouth Minster
By the early 20th century the fishing grounds off Great Yarmouth were the most productive in the world. Millions of herring were hauled ashore every year during the herring season. At this time, this made the port the most important in the country.

Hauling the nets during the night's fishing, the silver scales on the backs of the fish would glisten in the moonlight - giving rise to the name Silver Darlings.

In this oil painting, YH66, a Great Yarmouth diesel powered drifter called Irene is busy fishing for herring, It was painted from Ernie's memory, recollecting the times he spent in and around the quayside as a boy.

This framed painting has also featured in several Maritime Events and is now offered for sale at £900.

Tres Hombres in Full Sail

SOLD

Again from memory, and having witnessed the majesty and might of wind power during the Tall Ships Races around our shores, Ernie captures this magnificent Brigantine in full sail on the high seas.


Framed size is 55 x 43 inches.



Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row is situated on Northgate Street with the Minster Church of St Nicholas seen towering over the distant end of the row.

There was a network of 145 of these narrow passageways which had buildings on each side which were dwellings and businesses.

They ran east to west between the sea and the river and were paved with cobbles or flagstones.

Folklore has it that the easterly wind would sweep the rows clear of the foul smells which would emanate from the overcrowded premises there.

Framed size 5ft x 4ft in oils.

SOLD

Picture For The People -

The Presentation to the town of the King John Charter

Painted in oils on canvas and measuring more than 16ft x 5ft, this painting was first envisaged by Ernie to be an 8ft x 5ft canvas. But when the decision for the format was made, the overwhelming demand from people wanting to be included made it necessary for it to become what it is now.

The triptych form it takes is appropriate here, as it originates from early Christian art and was a popular format used for altar paintings from the Middle Ages onwards. The painting celebrates and commemorates the 800th Anniversary of the granting of King John’s Charter to Great Yarmouth in 1208.

Ernie decided to paint it after attending a meeting to discuss proposed ways to celebrate the anniversary. It depicts caricatures of selected current residents of the borough in period costume, appearing as members of the levels of society that existed in those days. The scene is the presentation of the charter at St. Nicholas’ Church - now The Mister Church of St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth.

Featured are all classes, from the local ‘aristocracy’ to the other end of the social scale, including beggars, pick-pockets, drunkards and ‘ladies of the night’. If you recognise yourself in a character which you feel is lower than your station, please don’t be offended. No mischief or sleight of character is intended!

There are many personal and private stories attached to this painting, to do with the reasons that individuals sought to be part of it. Like life in general, some were light-hearted and funny, whilst others were sad and heart-wrenching. One was a lady cancer patient who was dying and whose grand-daughter was in hospital having a baby. Now, baby, cradled by Great Grandma are united in this painting for eternity.

One day, Ernie said, he would have liked to write a book about this very special piece of art and history. The painting - which took more than two years to complete; hundreds of tubes of paint and wore out more than a hundred brushes. The canvas and gold frame were also made by Ernie and a group of close friends.

The two items in town which commemorate the Anniversary are Colin Smith’s Engraved Granite Memorial, which is situated in the lawn to the east of the Minster’s South Door and Ernie’s Picture For The People, which is to remain, fittingly, for future generations, on permanent display in The Minster Church of St Nicholas, where the historic charter was presented to the town. Colin and Ernie, coincidentally, were at school together.

Ernie was extremely proud of his legacy and we hope that you like it too.

Market Row and Broad Row meet at Howard Street North

SOLD

Here, at Howard Street North - which runs parallel to the Quay and King Street/ Market Place - is where two of the busiest trading areas of the town meet.


Market Row (the easterly row which adjoins The Market Place/King Street) and Broad Row (which travels west to join George Street  leading to the Quay).


This collection of premises, mostly now occupied by a myriad of independent traders provides everything from a haircut to food and drink and furniture.


The oil painting features the chimney sweep, a variety of shops and a light-fingered pickpocket eyeing up a prospective target in the shape of a well-dressed woman going about her shopping, oblivious to the danger she might be in. 


This framed oils measures 21 x 26.5 inches.

Smugglers and The Militia

SOLD

This scene in oils was painted specifically to feature at Great Yarmouth's Annual Maritime Festival and has since been exhibited at several other events and venues.


It depicts a band of smugglers in the shoreline surf being apprehended by men of the East Norfolk Militia.


Following reorganisation of the army in 1881, The West Norfolk and East Norfolk Militia became the 3rd and 4th Battalions of The Norfolk Regiment.


A re-enactment group The East Norfolk Militia has appeared at The Maritime Festival, The Royal Norfolk Show and performs ceremonial and guard duties around East Anglia.


This framed oils measures 33 x 30 inches and is

Henry Blogg

SOLD

This vibrant study in oils was painted specifically to provide lithographic screen transfers, to be used on a Great Yarmouth Potteries Limited Edition Tankard.

The Tankard was made to celebrate and  commemorate the life and times of the Cromer Lifeboat's longest serving Crewman and Coxswain Henry Blogg.

The name of Davies (the family name) to which Henry belongs has a long-standing tradition of service to the Cromer Lifeboat. Generations of fathers, sons, brothers and uncles have succeeded each other right up to the present day.

This painting (which was purchased by a collector of Henry Blogg Memorabilia) measures approximately 3ft x 4ft and shows Henry the Coxswain in his oilskins and sou'wester ready for the "shout".

SOLD

Ernie's life-size sculptured terracotta bust of Coxn. Henry Blogg.

Fishing At The Outlet

£300

Expectations

Not for sale