Aidan Haley: Artist, Mentor, and Donor
Aidan Haley has created more than 2,000 paintings, selling over 1,400 and donating more than 150 to charities—including two acrylics on canvas recently gifted to the County Seniors’ Centre.
“We’ve lived in Prince Edward County for the past 25 years, and I’m sure it has added 20 years to our lives,” says 88-year-old Aidan. “I’m glad to donate these paintings. We enjoyed Tai Chi and Wii Bowling at the Seniors’ Centre and our trophy still sits in the living room. I still have the will to participate, but not the ability.”
A self-taught, intuitive artist specializing in Canadian landscapes, Aidan retired early from a career in industrial sales, turning his energy to gardening and painting. “I am the artist, and my wife Maureen is my inspiration and my number one fan. Her support was critical to my learning the craft, and her clever bookkeeping skills kept us fed while I developed my style.”
“I loved going on painting trips with Aidan,” adds Maureen. “Being in nature gave me time to journal or simply be present. As he became more accomplished, Aidan designed and taught courses for adults, children, and people with disabilities. He has always sought to be a positive mentor and motivating inspiration to students, teachers, parents, and other artists. Community Care has always been there for us, and we are pleased to gift these paintings to their County Seniors’ Centre.”
Among the donated works is The Tuckamore (30” x 30”, acrylic on canvas), symbolizing the resilience of Newfoundland’s people, and River of Solitude (12” x 24”, acrylic on canvas), reflecting Aidan’s lifelong attraction to solitude.
Drawing inspiration from Canada’s land, parks, and sub-Arctic regions, Aidan works in oils and acrylics. “I paint because I love the land. Landscape painting allows me to express that love and convey the optimism and hope I find in Canada’s magnificence. I’ve always tried to put that feeling into the hearts and minds of those who view my work.”
The paintings will be featured in the County Seniors’ Centre. “We are excited to receive this generous donation,” says Debbie MacDonald Moynes, Prince Edward Community Care Executive Director. “We have enjoyed a long standing relationship with Aidan and Maureen and are grateful that they have entrusted us with these beautiful works of art and we invite everyone to stop by the County Seniors Centre to enjoy the bright and colourful paintings.”
At heart, Aidan is an artist who sees the land as “bright and colourful, full of optimism and hope.” His Gaelic name means “little fire,” but his work and legacy shine with a steady, enduring flame. Today, his paintings can be found in private and corporate collections across Canada, the USA, Europe, the Far East, and Australia.
Aidan continues to challenge himself with new techniques: “It’s important not to settle into a comfort zone. Innovation keeps you young. I paint because I can.”