First a ballroom dance teacher and competitive dancer for twenty years then a writer now amateur artist .
Feedback from Patrick Williams
I am 74 years of age, was raised in foster care and Mount Cashel Orphanage in Newfoundland which had been run by the Irish Christian Brothers many of whose individuals have been convicted of physical, psychological and sexual abuse around the world.
When I left the orphanage I walked and rode the rails across Newfoundland, an island. Stowed away on a ferry to Nova Scotia where I continued on hitch hiking now to Montreal. Upon arriving in Montreal I worked as a warehouse person, shipper while first training in ballroom and Latin Dancing.
In the years that followed I returned to Newfoundland courted and married the love of my life. We raised two children I worked in ballroom for twenty years on and off; visited 74 countries until wear and tear on my knees and marriage caused me to move on to a new field of work. Sales at a health club and gym.
In the last twenty years I’ve been learning how to paint as an amateur. First was landscapes then seascapes on to floral’s then the orphanage, my first street where we lived, now I’m trying portraits.
After 53 years of marriage my lovely wife passed in December 2015, my son passed in May 2016 both died of cancer both were fighters to the end. My wife and son suffered in terrible pain. Now I’m on my own not lonely, just alone.
My objective is to continue painting and hopefully selling some at least. To paraphrase former President Bill Clinton of the USA who said recently ‘ I have fewer tomorrows then yesterdays’. Being self taught has its limitations and I need instruction to pull it all together.
My difficulty is as a senior citizen living on a old age pension I can only pay for courses piece meal. I’ve written three books “my life before, during Mount Cashel and after”, “Men that women love to hate” and most recent “The Bootlegger’s Son”. (These works are still unpublished) not without trying.
Sorry about your losses, that’s very sad. I hope you find some good tuition so you can enjoy a productive and expressive retirement. Hope you will paint some dancers!