When Jim Scott may have put down one set of pens when he retired from his life’s work as an accountant, but he quickly picked up another as a budding artist.
That was in 2000, and he had come to Agassiz to settle into the retirement lifestyle. It wasn’t long before he was scouting around for something to do with his newfound time.
He took a course at the Fraser Valley College (now UFV) with local artist Diane Mackenzie, and knew had found something he could pursue.
“She invited me to come out to this club,” Scott said, referring to the Agassiz Monday Painters, which has been meeting for years in the Agassiz United Church.
This is where he began to play with pen and ink, creating images of churches, barns and other landscapes he’s found appealing. While he usually mostly black with his calligraphy pens, he also mixes in a bright reds and yellows and “whatever colours come off the nibs,” he says.
Scott will be the featured artist at the Monday Painters annual art show, being held Apr. 13 at the United Church. But he modestly points out that it is longevity with the group that decides who is featured at each year’s show. He’ll have six or seven pieces featured throughout the show, and each member of the group is expected to contribute a few pieces as well.
Despite Scott’s modesty, his work is still worth gazing upon and the result of dedicated time spent at the easel. He’s been submitting his pieces to the jury at the Agassiz Fall Fair for a number of years, earning first place prizes numerous times.
For Scott, getting involved in something creative has become a regular part of life, and something he’s thankful for.
“I’ve met a lot of really nice people,” he said. “Being creative is important and certainly the people you meet are important.”
The Monday Painters Art Show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., Apr. 13 at the Agassiz United Church.