Every once in a blue moon the universe gifts us with a special soul that walks along side us day to day, a persona-extraordinaire that makes you think and dream and look at life with wonder.

Prince Edward County was blessed with just such a character when Aidan Haley came to town. Known for the dancing skies and swirling waters of his colourful Canadian landscape paintings, he is just as much an oral storyteller as a visual one. He is also a musician and reciter of poetry – quite the entertainer if you drop into his studio or, better yet, invite him for dinner.

For those of you who know and love him, don’t worry, this is not an obituary, although the 86-year-old is not one to shy away from discussing mortality, nor does he steer away from the other minefield topics — he speaks of religion, politics, and sex with the same candour as of what his wife, Maureen, might be making for supper.

He might also also describe the gruesome task of ridding his country gallery of the varmints that sneak through the cracks and nibble at his canvasses.

With his roots in Newfoundland before it was part of Canada, no wonder he’s a storyteller, musician, and artist, with a balance of the spiritual and down-to-earth common sense. His paintings reveal a love of wildlife, fly fishing, and Group Of Seven northern landscapes.

I want to buy every one after hearing Mr. Haley talk about them. From tuckamores perched on the rocky cliffs of his native Newfoundland, to the autumn forest reds of his beloved Algonquin, to Sandbanks where he was the official artist-in-residence, each painting has a back story. 

Before painting his way out of retirement, Mr. Haley sold widgets, such as rubber gaskets used in manufacturing. He had a knack for working his way in to see a client, checking out the pictures on the office walls, then spinning a tale on the subjects of interest, certainly 100% authentic. It would earn him the order over all the competition. 

Mr. Haley once sold a painting to a diplomat before it was even painted by appealing to her love of country and their shared Newfoundland patriotism, describing sights and sounds that brought her to tears. 

Mr. Haley was raised in a Catholic orphanage, toughening him up around other boys. One of them became Stompin’ Tom Connors, whom Aidan spoke to in later years. Although Aidan’s parents were absent, he recognizes the importance of family, friendship and community, all of which he fosters wherever he lives.

Mr. Haley joined the military Blackwatch, served as a Boy Scout leader, and organized annual artist retreats, spreading his net of contacts across Canada. A logbook of where he has sold his paintings reaches around the globe. 

He jokes that you can’t be a famous artist until you die, so as he closes up his little yellow gallery on Old Milford Road, be sure to acquire your very own Aidan Haley painting and meet the maker — before he meets his!

You can see his work online at www.aidanhaleyart.com.