Trees feature very strongly in many of these Stock watercolours and Stock, very near to where I live is a very beautiful village.

My loose style enables me to paint quickly and that's good news for me as my mind is always asking ‘What’s coming next?’

I mentioned last month that I have written a small booklet “Reach for the Sky” focused on my fathers war years, possibly delivering materials for the construction of Boreham Airfield. Edited, designed and produced beautifully by my daughter Julie, it is now complete and very well received.

I’m now thinking of the next small book ‘The Most Beautiful Villages in Essex’

It will be written for family and friends and of course Essex Life interested readers.

Stock is a must for inclusion.

STOCK WINDMILL
Yet another composition with trees promoting the focal point, the white cap of the windmill

ALL SAINTS FROM THE WEST
A simple composition, with trees again promoting the white tower as the focal point

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH
With the very many surrounding trees contributing beautifully to enhance the white tower

MONUMENT IN THE CHURCHYARD
The flowers around the monument given total impact by the backdrop of trees

THE VILLAGE SIGN
Not only the village sign in this composition but the attractively named Hoop Inn

THE BAKERS ARMS
Taken from a sketch in my sketch book dated September 26 ,1996

COMPETITION

For your chance to win James’ original painting, Stock Windmill, click here.

Competition closes on March 31st, 2024.

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You can contact James at Cottage Corner Art, 9 Byron Road, Hutton, Brentwood, CM13 2RU. Call 01277 210 728 or email jamesmerriott_art@btinternet.com to make an appointment.