WIN a wonderful watercolour of White Roding

PUBLISHED: 16:17 15 March 2019

ST. MARTINS CHURCH Seen with all the church visible without any trees obstructing the view.

Archant

Another year has passed since I started these features for Essex Life, which was back in April 2005. I might be 14 years older, but my enthusiasm remains as strong as ever at 78 years of age.

DOVECOTE COTTAGE I was thrilled to find this and Little Timbers just a few yards apart.

Completing six or seven watercolours every month for 14 years adds up to more than 1,000 paintings published, yet I’m still enjoying new aspects of these paintings and creating alternatives with colour and technique, attempting to find the magic touch that is so exciting. There is also still excitement in visiting new places and discovering more and more picturesque scenes around the county.

LITTLE ART GARDEN CENTRE Simplifying the garden produce outside the shop contributed to easier detail in the foreground.

This was very much in evidence when I visited White Roding, where the excitement was not just to find the historic mill, but to paint it with the beautiful accompanying buildings. Finding two, white thatched cottages added something very special to the composition.

LITTLE TIMBERS Dovecote Cottage and Little Timbers. It was an immense joy to portray them both.

Add to this the tranquillity of the churchyard and the ‘lovely clutter’ at the garden centre gave me places to paint that were not only exciting to find, but also an absolute delight to portray. My needs, I do believe, are very simple. A paint brush, and the beauty all around me.

THE MILL AND MILL COTTAGES The cottages across the lane from the mill contributed to this pleasing composition.

You can contact James at Cottage Corner Art, 9 Byron Road, Hutton, Brentwood CM13 2RU. Call 01277 210728 or visit www.cottagecornerart.co.uk

WHITE RODING WINDMILL Next to a lovely residence, I regarded as the one time millers house.

For your chance to win James’ original painting St Martin’s Church answer the following question and fill out the form:

Terms & Conditions

The competition closes at 6pm on

April 30, 2019. Usual promotion rules apply. For full terms and conditions, visit www.essexlifemag.co.uk