By Amanda Collins

A Patrick native and Korean War veteran has been painting since he was four years old, even winning a car after entering one of his paintings in a contest.

James Handy, of Patrick Springs, recalled in the mid-1950s a neighbor encouraged him to enter a contest, so he painted a picture on a shoebox lid. Handy said his neighbor came “flying in the driveway” to tell him he had won a blue Ford Fairlane.

He has honed his craft since then. Currently, two of his paintings are on display at the Landmark in Stuart – a painting of Mabry Mill and another of the courtyard at Landmark.

Many years ago, he said he also painted murals in some local churches, and didn’t charge anything for his talent or his efforts.

Handy usually has three to four paintings going at the same time since he has to wait for the paint to dry before he can continue.

He currently is working on a handful of paintings, including two ocean scenes, with a beach and lighthouse; a forest painting, and a banjo.

Handy also has a painting of the red caboose at the rail trail and a fall themed painting of a house with decorations in the yard.

A member of the Pleasant View Singers for about 18 years, Handy played the banjo. He traveled around to many locales sharing that musical talent.

Handy is a veteran that served during the Korean War. Handy said that he helped build air strips for the Air Force during the Korean War.