CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Maxey Sanderson never thought of himself as much of an artist.

“People always wonder how long it takes,” Sanderson said. “And I can't ever tell them, because, like this one, I started sketching and all last week.”

The 78-year-old spent most of his life working at a software development company. But after moving into The Barclay at SouthPark retirement home for his sick wife, things took a turn.

What You Need To Know

  • Maxey Sanderson and his wife moved to a retirement community last year due to his wife's health

  • Shortly after moving, his wife lost her battle to terminal cancer

  • Sanderson's children convinced him to stay and see what the new community had to offer

  • He soon discovered watercolor painting, and has now made a name for himself in the community

“We moved over and so some of the family were able to come down. So she got to see and visit some of those,” Sanderson said. “Unfortunately, she died that night.”

Sanderson says his wife had suffered from terminal cancer for years. Still, the loss of his wife was hard.

“My boys were insisting I give it a couple of months’ try, instead of going home and being by myself,” he said.

So Sanderson stayed at the retirement home and took advantage of their programs to keep his mind off of things.

“In November, they offered an introduction to watercolors,” Sanderson said. “I’ve always liked watercolors or paintings and always thought it was something I’d like to do.”

His favorite muse for his work, his loyal companion dog Layla.

"I brought a picture of Layla, and I thought I’d try to paint a picture of her,” Sanderson said. “And it came out good. I could use it for our Christmas card.”"I brought a picture of Layla, and I thought I’d try to paint a picture of her,” Sanderson said. “And it came out good. I could use it for our Christmas card.”

An idea that took off.

“That prompted kind of a chain reaction,” Sanderson said. “Like my son said, you know what would be a great gift from my wife for Christmas, because she lost her dog in August. And if you could paint a picture for a dog, she’d just love that.”

It’s not only giving Sanderson a new focus — it’s gaining attention around the retirement home as well. 

“So I usually start from a photograph,” Sanderson said. “If it comes out close to the two looking like their dog, they’ll be very appreciative, and they see their dog in it.”

Since he started, Sanderson says he’s completed about 30 portraits of residents’ pets.

“Everybody’s in the same boat. And so consequently, you know, you feel and empathize with people, but they have some of the problems that you do,” Sanderson said. “And it’s comforting. You don’t have to have pity parties and whatnot. So you can still enjoy life.”

It has helped him connect in a new way with others. 

“A lot of people stay home and, you know, circumstances have been different. I probably would have and would probably be miserable and not realized how much more there is to offer,” Sanderson said. “The hobbies give you a reason to be around other people. It gives you something else to talk about than just the problem.”

Sanderson encourages anyone going through a change in life to look to events that are offered in their community, to find a new way to reconnect. And maybe even find a new passion.