Julia was born and raised in western Canada, where she received her formal training before emigrating to the United States.  Since that time she has enjoyed a multi-faceted career. Her start in the U.S. was painting murals for the mansions of wealthy patrons. Later, she spent several years as a color artist in the comic book industry, where she achieved several "firsts," including first color artist deemed important enough to receive royalties. She was also the first to paint fine detail into the original pages, yielding a rich visual experience that is seldom seen in the computer-generated artwork the industry uses today. Julia has since moved on to painting her own creations exclusively, but a decade of producing fine work under crushing deadlines has molded her into a master watercolorist and an excellent painter of acrylics as well. Julia is difficult to contain, and her subject matter includes botanical, wildlife, fantasy, science fiction, and new age themes.  Nor does she confine her pursuits to painting, as she continues to develop her jewelry skills.  Julia counts many influences in her art, but among the most powerful are Alphonse Mucha, Arthur Rackham, Maxfield Parrish, Erté, and the brilliant autumn leaves of her native Alberta.