"It was one of the most exciting times of my life," he said. "It was completely different than anything I'd ever known. I could paint regularly without having to earn other income."

The member of the Fort Erie Arts Council first went to Mexico in 1965 to earn a masters degree in fine arts. The degree wasn't yet available in Canada at the time and Sanders knew what path he wanted to take in life.

Little did he know the experience would change him forever, not only artistically but also as a person.

"My best friends were illiterate people," he said, adding he often wrote and read letters for a maid in the home he lived in.

"Soon people in the neighbourhood started to catch on. It all made me a more radical human being."

While in Mexico Sanders fell in love with the desert and blue, blue sky. Even today, he uses bright blue colours and loves to paint the sand.

"My painting changed a lot. It became more free and imaginative."

Sanders returned to Canada and began a teaching career at Ryerson University where he taught interior design for 32 years. Even with a demanding career, Sanders was able to continue to paint not as a hobby but as a second career. He continuously exhibited in juried, solo and group shows across Canada, the U.S., Mexico and England. His work can be found in each of the countries.

Sanders served as president of the Society of Canadian Artists and was active in establishing the John B. Aird Gallery at Queen's Park in Toronto.

Sanders started to draw and paint at the age of 20. Born and raised in Nova Scotia, he received a bachelor of fine arts from Mt. Allison University in New Brunswick, an architectural diploma from the Cooper Union in New York City and a teaching certificate from the College of Education in Toronto.

As an avid history buff, Sanders received his masters in museology in 1972.

"It touched on the imaginative side of being an artist, not just the creative. I have always been interested in history."

Still, his east coast roots helped to form his values, which he believes are expressed in his paintings. He prefers to work directly from what he sees or from his sketchbook, which he describes as a "recipe book" of ideas for paintings.

"If I have to work from a photograph I prefer to sketch it and then leave it behind."

Sanders mainly works in acrylics and most of his work is image-based but he sometimes dabbles in abstract.

Sanders currently lives in Port Colborne and spends most of the summer painting by the water at his cottage at Lowbanks in Wainfleet.

"Living here near the water reminds me of where I grew up."

His work can be seen in and around Port Colborne, namely in city hall. For the month of September, Sanders' work will be on display at the Fort Erie Arts Council's gallery at 238 Ridge Rd. N. next to From Cover to Cover bookstore. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and closed Sundays and Mondays. Admission is free.