Below are a few examples of the paintings, prints and drawings of the Derbyshire artist, Frank Clay.
The title of each piece is followed by the medium used.
The originals are in private collections apart from the one of Winster which was donated to
Winster Ward, Whitworth Hospital.
 Selection of cards | A few of his prints | Short biography
Selection of cards
Matlock Dale, High Tor and Tor Cottage, watercolour. |
Matlock Parish Church, watercolour. |
Matlock Bath,
Hodgkinson's Hotel & The Pitchings, watercolour. |
Riber Castle, watercolour |
Matlock Dale and St. John's Church, watercolour. |
Bakewell Bridge, watercolour. |
Chatsworth House, watercolour. |
Haddon Hall, watercolour - pointillist style. |
Bonsall, The Cross, oil. |
Scarthin and Cromford Pond (detail), oil. |
The Peacock, Rowsley, oil. |
Market Hall, Winster (detail), oil. |
Print of Winster Market Hall, pen and ink. |
A few of his prints.
These were printed in black and white on water colour paper as he occasionally added watercolour to some of them, producing very individual images. Very time consuming.
Ashford in the Water, Sheepdip Bridge. |
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Beeley Post Office. |
Birdholme, 17thC farm, Wingerworth. |
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Fishing House, Cromford Bridge. |
St. Helen's Church, Darley Dale (North Darley).
Matlock Bath, Great Hotel 1801.
from a rare original engraving, now owned by one of his heirs.
St. Mary's Church, Wirksworth. |
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Derby All Saints Church, now Derby Cathedral.
North Parade & Heights, Matlock Bath, after A6 widening. |
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Short Biography
1960
| Biographical Notes: |
Born Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, UK. Second son of John and Ethel Clay.
John died of wounds in 1917.
Frank (1911 - 2000) lived in the Matlocks for most of his life.
Go to:
Our Genealogy
Short pedigree, Ann
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| Drawing and Painting: |
Inspired as a young boy by the headmaster of Matlock
Bath School, William Henry Lees, Frank drew and painted his entire life.
His talent helped the local community in the 1950s when he was asked to paint
set pieces for Matlock Bath's Illuminations and Venetian Fete.
See:
Illuminations and Venetian Fete
The mid 1960s was a turning point and he began to paint very seriously from then
onwards, exhibiting locally. His subjects varied, but included many landscapes
of his beloved Derbyshire and the selection above reflects that.
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| Occupations and War Record: |
Frank served in the British Army (1928-1932) and during WW2 (1939-1946).
Evacuated from Dunkirk, he later served in both North and East
Africa. He was present at the siege of Tobruk and was seriously wounded.
He set up a painting and decorating business in Matlock Bath before
the war, which also included sign writing, with a workshop on Holme
Road (see Matlock Bath Business Letterheads). He opened his first
shop on Firs Parade, Matlock in 1960, later expanding into two premises. He also specialised in picture
framing and restoration and had many valued customers.
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| Interests: |
1. Singing was a real passion. He sang everywhere, including ...
- Holy Trinity Church Choir, Matlock Bath for many years as a boy and young man.
- Member of both Chesterfield and Matlock Amateur Operatic Societies in the
1950s and 1960s. He sang leading tenor roles in many productions.
- Performed as a tenor soloist in many events at numerous locations in Derbyshire.
2. Local and Family History.
His knowledge and recall of local and his own family's history, absorbed during his childhood, was extraordinary. One of his friends was
Doreen Buxton, whom he had known since she was a girl. Doreen, together with Christopher Charlton, wrote two important books,
"Cromford Revisited" and "Matlock Bath - A perfectly romantic place". Frank's help is
acknowledged in both and in a personal handwritten note inscribed in a copy of the latter, now owned by the web mistress, recalled
how he had shared his memories of Matlock Bath. As for family history, his knowledge and recall inspired the web mistress to start
on her own path.
See:
Matlock & Matlock Bath web site.
3. Walking. Most people brought up in " the Bath " were very fit because of the steep hills. As a very young boy
he walked from Upperwood Road to Bonsall to collect bread and milk. Then it would be down the hill to school. He remained a
fit and active walker for most of his life.
4. As a teenager and young man he was a Scout and a Rover.
See:
Matlock Bath: Baden Powell Scouts,
1933 - Bugle and Drums (1)
Matlock Bath: Baden
Powell Scouts, 1933 - Bugle and Drums (2)
Matlock
Bath: Baden Powell Scouts - Annual Entertainment, 1934
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| Other: |
Frank married twice, first to Dorothy Smithies, who passed way in 2006, and secondly to Frances
Bacon who pre-deceased him.
Frank and Dorothy had 3 children and 3 grandchildren, though one daughter has since died.
He was always very supportive of his entire family.
He is buried at Darley Dale.
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| Elsewhere on the website: |
He produced a number of black and white prints from some of his drawings of Derbyshire scenes over the years.
There are currently two further examples on the site.
Go to:
Matlock Bath, South Parade & the Pitchings
Rowsley, The
Peacock Hotel (4th image down). |
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We do not have photographs of all of Frank's pictures and would be delighted to hear from you if you own one and would be prepared
to send a photograph to add to our private lists. Please email Ann Andrews.
Images may be changed. Further images may be added at a later date.
Please note:
Claims that have appeared on the Internet that Frank was employed by, or worked as, a butcher are totally fictitious.
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