The Shipping Forecast Series (2002/3)

Shipping Forecast Series took their inspiration from the British Shipping Forecast, broadcast to shipping by BBC Radio. Paintings are named for Shipping Forecast sea areas Sole, Shannon, Fastnet etc.

The hypnotic sound of the Shipping Forecast ihas a hypnotic intonation like an exotic mantra exerting a hold on the poetic imagination. 

Fellow artist and friend Carry Akroyd pointed out that the paintings have 'Cross-currents and undulations like the sea, create surface tension.' 

I used an imagined state of sea, sky and weather during the period covered by just one of the forecasts. Colours reflected my imagined experience of being open to the elements in the time of specific Shipping Forecasts.

The Shipping Forecast can be heard on BBC Radio 4 Long-wave each evening at 5:54 pm.

For a brilliantly entertaining insight into the names, location and much more of the Shipping Forecast Areas I highly recommend the book 'Attention All Shipping. A Journey Round the Shipping Forecast' by Charlie Connelly, Pub.  Little Brown. GB.