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Some might say 11-year old Cam White is good at anything he puts his hand to.
The son of Sandra and Blayne White of Pinette, Cam started playing hockey when he was just four years old. This past winter, his pee wee AA team made it all the way to the provincials.
Last summer, Cam was junior club champion at Belfast Highland Greens, after playing the game seriously for just one season.
“I got my name on that trophy up there,” Cam said, pointing to an impressive piece of hardware inside the clubhouse.
Earlier this year, the Grade 6 Belfast Consolidated student discovered yet another of his talents. However it had nothing to do with a hockey stick or golf club, it involved a paintbrush and a palette.
A few months ago, Cam decided to go to art class in Vernon Bridge with his mom.
“The first night he said, ‘I’m coming too, Mom’,” Mrs White said with a proud glance toward her son.
Mrs White said Cam’s request came as a bit of a surprise, because she hadn’t asked him if he might be interested in learning to paint.
“I wanted to join her,” Cam said, looking at his mother, a smile emerging. “I wanted to see how it was and just try it.”
Mrs White said she signed up for the class for some alone time, and admitted she was a bit hesitant about taking one of her children along.
“But it was good that we were able to do something together,” she promptly added.
The class was held one night a week over 10 weeks and was led by local artist David Trimble, from Vernon Bridge, who’s been teaching art to children and adults for more than 20 years.
At first, Cam struggled a bit trying to paint a beach scene. But his talent quickly developed when his teacher suggested he try painting something he loved - golf.
Cam’s older brother Keir, who is golf pro and manages the Belfast course had a photo of the popular and scenic 9th hole. So Cam decided he would try to put it on canvas.
“It’s probably the most recognized hole here,” Mrs White said.
Cam said the hardest part was “adding the little details and mixing the colours.”
However, all his effort proved worthwhile when his framed painting was hung on a wall just inside the clubhouse doors.
Now golf members can’t help but admire Cam’s colourful artwork, with some even asking if it’s for sale.
“People have already asked, but I said no,” Cam said, admitting he never painted or practised art of any kind till his painting class.
The aspiring artist isn’t totally opposed to cashing in on his newfound talent but until that time comes Cam’s painting will hang in the clubhouse. When the season ends he will take it home.
In the meantime though, if he sees something he likes, he said he’ll “take a picture of it and paint it in the fall.”
Photo: Multi-talented Cam White painted this picture of the 9th hole at Belfast Highland Greens, the same course he won junior club champion. Melanie Jackson photo
First appeared in The Eastern Graphic June 5, 2013
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