JIM MERRIOTT AND HIS LIFETIME OF ART

Over the last year or so, the world has been experiencing one of the worst crises in modern times. Still in the midst of the covid epidemic, British people will agree that they have appreciated the continuing help given so readily by our National Health Service workers. An unexpected aspect of this challenging year - when so many people have been almost under virtual curfew - has been the appreciation and advantage of many of us enjoying our own small green garden spaces and allotments. And for those folk without these amenities, the countryside has been available to some of us, when lockdown permitted. 

One well-known Essex resident James (Jim) Merriott, distinguished professional watercolour artist, has appreciated our lovely Essex countryside since childhood and has enjoyed using his considerable artistic skill in his paintings, exhibitions, teaching and writing which have inspired so many people who have met him and love his distinctive style. Jim’s name will certainly be familiar to many Essex Life readers. From 2005, his paintings of the county’s loveliest places have appeared monthly.

Alongside his artistic ability and with the support of Lord Ronald Rayner, Jim’s autobiography entitled WATERCOLOURS – THE PAIN AND THE PASSION was published in 2011. Within, Jim describes his life beginning in 1941 in Clapton, London’s East End. We learn of wartime evacuation with his younger brother Steve to Brent Eleigh in Suffolk where they enjoyed a relatively carefree life in a wonderful old cottage deep in the countryside. Here, the boys ran free, appreciating the glorious surrounding lanes and byways, learning at first hand the intricacies of nature, that would stay in his memory until he needed to re-visit some of these early places in later life. A further book WATERCOLOUR INSPIRATIONS – SUFFOLK SUMMER 2015 has also been published to great acclaim.

Jim’s idyllic outdoor life nose-dived when, after the war, he moved back to London, living near the Poplar Gas Works at Stink House Bridge, and later to his home opposite the old asbestos factory at Bow. However, then as an eleven-year-old delivery paperboy, he saved up to buy a bicycle. Earlier he learnt to ride on his big sister’s old bike. Once mobile, he discovered Epping Forest and explored treasures further afield including Abridge, Chigwell and other villages which he still regards as areas of outstanding natural beauty.

 In 1962, Jim was working hard as a fire-fighter in the London Fire Brigade, but this exciting life was cut short with the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in 1971.

This was an enormous blow,” Jim remembered. “I enjoyed my work, even though it was often hazardous. Thankfully, I was fortunate in having the most wonderful rheumatology consultant at Oldchurch Hospital, Dr Geoffrey Clarke, who, when the diagnosis was made, gave me such special care and hope for the future. At the time, my wife Joan and I had two small children.”

To help cope with both pain and disability, Jim turned to his early love of art with the knowledge that his own uncle, Jack Merriott RI (1901-1968), who in his life-time had been a professional water-colourist and art teacher. Jim developed his passion to portray the places he had once known. In addition to art, his interests included old buildings in his home county of Essex.

When working for a while with Ford Motor Company at Becket House in Brentwood, Jim’s colleagues appreciated his lovely Christmas cards, depicting Essex Villages, proceeds of which raised money for FORTH, the medical charity to help arthritis sufferers.

Jim and Joan began visiting numerous villages in Essex, including Dedham, John Constable’s favourite village, then crossing the county borders into Suffolk, Hertfordshire, later travelling to France and Italy to paint during the summer months.

 “With retirement on the horizon, I began painting full-time and even teaching the subject,” Jim recalls. “When I was asked to regularly contribute to Essex Life sixteen years ago as their resident artist, I was honoured and I love every minute. Now I want to give something back to the NHS in my own way and plan on exhibiting my entire output of artwork to benefit the NHS at Ingatestone Hall. See below.”

 Every signed painting sold will bear Jim’s special stamp marked ‘sold in aid of NHS. Original watercolour.’ Donation website: www.virginmoneygiving (Jim Merriott). 

Jim is exhibiting throughout the summer of 2021.

In aid of the NHS, this final exhibition 

consists of work that Jim 

has completed over the last 40 years of his

 life long love of art. 

The exhibition will be held at the fabulous 

Ingatestone Hall CM4 9NR 

Open from 12.00 - 17.00

Wednesdays and Sundays and Bank .Holidays

Dates that Jim will be attending are

May 23, 30, 31

June 20, 27 

August  1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 29, 30

September 11, 12, 19, 29 

For updates or further details

      Phone: 01277 210728

Mobile: 07526 936408    

Email:

joan.merriott@btinternet.com