Age: 62.

Occupation: Retired teacher and resident artist at Alteliero Verda Galleria.

What did you teach and for how long? I taught Grade 6 french immersion. Then I went to junior high and taught art. I did that for over 20 years.

What do you like most about your job? I meet interesting people and I’m my own boss and I can do my own thing.

You live in Calgary, correct? Yes, but I’m going to be moving here soon. I’ve lived in Alberta since 1981.

Where are you from originally? Magog, Quebec.

What do you like most about the Valley? The landscape, like the coulees and hoodoos, and it has a connection with prehistory.

Top travel destinations: We attend the world congress for Esperanto every year. We just went to Cuba and next year we’ll be going to Iceland. We usually travel around a lot when we go to the congress.

What do you like to do while on vacation? Visit other places, museums, and learn about the culture.

If you could travel through time, when and where would you like to visit? The present is the best place for me.

If you could hang out with anyone, who would it be? Leonardo DaVinci. He was not just an artist, he was also an inventor.

Choose one thing to eat for the rest of your life: Whatever it would be, I’d get fed up fast. Maybe steaks or rack of lamb.

Most memorable childhood toy: My aunt made me a big Mickey Mouse rag doll.

Favourite movies: Amadeus and Frida.

If you were making a movie about your life, who would you want to play you? I don’t think there is anyone who could play me.

Favourite books: I’m reading books in Esperanto to learn the language, classics I’ve read before like Little Prince of Saint-Exupery, Treasure Island,  and Jules Verne. 

Any words of wisdom? Be yourself.