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BY SANDRA BOLAN Staff Writer ames Bessey always dabbled in the arts, including woodworking and music. But it was painting that Mr. Bessey really loved. 4 However, it wasn’t until a co-worker of Mr. Bessey’s, whom he admired for his artistic capabilities, suggested he buy some basic art supplies, take some classes and give painting a try that his career got started. Mr. Besséy bought oil paints, but quick- ly fealized he was allergic to them, so he switched to water colour. That was back in 1962 when Mr. Bessey was 42 and well entrenched in his career as the secretary of the Canadian Gas Associa- tion. But ghanks to some lessons and weekends away w1th the boys â€" to paint â€"â€" Mr. Bessey became accomplished in his own right. Ten years after buying that paint set, Mr. Bessey held his first art show, at the Consum- ers Gas building in downtown Toronto. “They were 'very supportive of my work Portrait Ufa painting legend ARTIST JAMES BESSEY’S CAREER HONOURED AT STOUFFVILLE ARTS SHOWCASE NEXT WEEK when I did get going," the now 89-year-old said of his former employer. “I was encouraged by a lot of people in the industry (and) if things didn’t work out with painting. I was welcome back to the industry." Mr. Bessey never returned to the gas com- pany or took any other job, for that matter. Mr. Bessey admires the work of the Group of Seven, along with that of realist Alex Colville, landscape painter Doris McCarthy and wildlife artist Robert Bateman, although he himself is a pure naturalist. “My basic philosophy to art and feeling things in nature is: hug a tree, smell a flower (and) listen to a brook,” Mr. Bessey said. “It's nice when you have that quiet time to reflect upon nature.” At the height of Mr. Bessey’s artistic camer. he and his wife would travel across Canada in search of that perfect spot to set up the easel for the day. Nova Scotia quickly became Mr. Bessey's favourite place to paint. The east coast was also the inspiration for his wife June's favoun'te painting â€" a moored yellow dory on a foggy morning. Mrs. Bessey wasn’t the only one to take a liking to that particular piece as someone visiting their home a few years back loved it so much she bought it off their living room wall. It’s the only painting Mrs. Bessey regrets selling. Since 1981, the Besseys have called Stouffville home and for about 20 years, his work was annually showcased at the Lat- cham Gallery. That was when Mr. Bessey could churn out a painting a week. ‘We wanted to acknowledge his contribution to the community. He’s a very good painter, but also a very lovely man.’ Now, Mr. Bessey creates about one 'a Maura Broadhurst curator for the Latcham Gallery Stouflville Sun-Tribune I Thursday, Feb. 12. 2009 IamesBessey, 89, in his Stouflville home studio. He will be honoured at an arts event at EastRidge dlurch next Thursday. month and only has a few pieces available for sale through the Stouffville Picture Framing Studio on Main Street. “He doesn’t have the stamina for it any- more," Mrs. Bessey said. “It takes a lot of emo- tional and physical stamina in order to paint and I don't think people realize that." Mr. Bessey,- will, however, showcase his work once again on a grand scale during the Showcase in the Stouffville Arts benefit for the Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment â€" Nineteen on the Park â€" next week. “We wanted to acknowledge his contribu- tion to the community," said Maura Broad- hurst, curator for the Latcham Gallery. “He’s a very good painter, but also a very lovely man. ' Showcase of Stouffville in the Arts takes place Thursday, Feb. 19. A vfs'ual arts pre- sentation begins at 6:30 pm, followed by a concert by lack de Kyzer at 7:15 pm. Tickets are $15 each and available at We Rock School of Music, York Dance Academy, Latcham Gallery, the Lebovic Leisure Centre and the mayor's oflice (905â€"640-1900). STAFF PHOTO/BILL ROBERTS