AT FIRST glance these paintings could be of any metropolitan European city – with tall, narrow buildings bathed in sunshine, people gathered outside restaurants and cafes or leisurely walking around shops.
But under closer examination these are not the streets of Amsterdam, Bruges or Lille – it is in fact our very own Chelmsford.
Painted by Jim Cole, 82, they depict everyday life in the city as well as some of its most recognisable streets and landmarks.
Mr Cole, of Lawn Lane, Springfield, took up painting nearly 17 years ago after taking an adult education class, following retirement in 1996 from his engineering job at the Marconi factory.
A resident of 46 years, his acrylic paintings now hang in Broomfield Hospital and Whitley House surgery in Writtle Road on three by two-foot wooden boards.
A rare aerial photograph of the Marconi factory will also accompany Mr Cole's paintings.
"I've definitely seen some changes in my time, I've got a lot of love for the town and I wanted to capture a different side to the place," he told the Chronicle.
"For anybody that worked at the Marconi factory we have a sentimental attraction to the building.
"I've had a lot of positive feedback so far – when people see my paintings they stand there and talk about the old days," said Mr Cole.
Each picture takes about a month to create from start to finish and this will be the fourth time his paintings have appeared in Chelmsford library.
The artworks will be exhibited in Chelmsford library from May 1 to 31 as part of 'Celebrating Chelmsford'.
