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James Taylor Brown (24 March 1868 - 7 October 1923) was a Scottish painter. Influenced by the Glasgow Boys, he was taught by Edward Arthur Walton. He mostly painted landscapes of his native Ayrshire.

Life
His father was James Brown (born c. 1840), a gardener.

His mother was Janet Taylor (born c. 1839) from Fenwick, Ayrshire. They married in Fenwick in 1867.

James Taylor Brown was born 24 March 1868 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. The family moved to Stewarton when James was 2 years old, staying at Draffenlea Cottage. He worked in his sister's shop as a draper when he was young before he could afford to be an artist full time.

Employment took him to Glasgow where he came into contact with the Glasgow Boys artists.

He opened his own shop in Stewarton selling newspapers, books and confectionery; however he had his artist's studio at the rear. He took lessons from Edward Arthur Walton and was guided by the Glasgow School.

By 1896 he could afford to live off his art alone.

He stayed in 17 Loudon Street, Stewarton in 1901.

He married Annie Mair in 1901 at Stewarton. She ran the newsagent shop; while James painted.

Art
From the Kilmarnock Standard of Friday 12 June 1992: When he was of cheerful diposition, it has been said his pictures were bright and and lighter in colour. But when he hit the bottle, as it appears he did frequently, he became depressed and the result was that he expressed himself in darker and more sombre tones and hues. But light or dark his efforts were appreciated by the many collectors of his works, some of whom reside locally.

He exhibited at the Glasgow Society of Artists exhibition in 1906 his works: O'er Lea And Furrow, Where The Whaups Cry Dreary, The Approach Of The Storm and A Rural Bye-Way In The Burns Country.

Death
He died on 7 October 1923 at 14 Main Street in Stewarton. The death certificate states that he died from pulmonary congestion. He is buried in Stewarton Cemetery. It was originally an unmarked grave but a successful campaign saw a headstone mark his grave in 2014.

From the Kilmarnock Herald and North Ayrshire Gazette of Friday 12 October 1923: We heard with deep regret the passing of Mr. James Taylor Brown, which took place at this residence at 14 Main Street on Sunday. He was 55 years of age and is survived by Mrs. Brown. Mr. Taylor Brown had been in failing health for a considerable period. Years ago now as a landscape artist he was on the high way to making a big name for himself, and he was kept busy working at his studio in Stewarton. His subjects were mostly bits of landscape and he found most of them in odd, pretty corners of Stewarton. His art work perhaps did more to spread knowledge of the Stewarton district over a wide area than anything else produced in the bonnet, hosiery and lace town. A true lover of nature he had the artist's quick sense of attractive bits of scenery, and always ready with his sketchbook, he would rapidly chalk the outline, and later on in the studio put his soul into the building of the finished picture. He had a strong aversion to anything over the 'pot-boiler' order. Whatever canvas was on the easel, large or small, he aimed at producing the best within him and he succeeded amazingly and found patrons in widely separated parts of the country. At least three English cities bought pictures of his for their permanent collections - a sure index of public appreciation for the genius embodied in the pictures.

He has crossed into the great silence but his art products remain as his permanent memorial. Two of his pictures are no on the wall of the Glasgow Art Exhibition and have been attracting admiration and friendly critical approval. Doubtless they will find ready purchasers.

Mrs. Brown has for many years ran a news agency shop in the Main Street.

A street in Stewarton, Taylor Brown Close, is named after him.

Works
His paintings are usually signed 'J. Taylor Brown'.

His Wind-Tossed is in the Leeds Art Gallery.

When Dead Leaves Flicker And Fall is in Brighton and Hove Museums.

His A Wind Swept Upland was bought by the Liverpool Corporation in 1906.

Ayrshire Pastoral is in Touchstones in Rochdale.

A number of his works are owned by the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock.