The starting point for this painting came from discovering a Victorian wooden spirit level and an old model yacht in my favourite antique shop.
Having lived in the Hebrides for some years, I created the narrative around the turquoise waters off these beautiful, wild isles. The sea chart depicts the Isle of Islay waters and the photo shows Machir beach, also on Islay and on the chart. The dominoes and jacks evoke childhood memories and in the background is the blueprint for the yacht construction.
The shipping forecast was established some 150 years ago. It has been broadcasting on BBC radio since 1925 and I believe it brings a special quality to the spoken word on British radio.
The area forecast from the met office has to follow a strict pattern and the order is always wind direction and speed followed by weather and finally visibility. For this painting the forecast would say… ‘Hebrides. South westerly 1 to 2. Slight. Mainly fair. Good.’