My name is Julia Ruane-Smith, I am 56, and I live in Norfolk, Va with my husband/soulmate and several "furry children" 3 cats and three dogs which includes two foster dogs. My favorite medium at this time is "pencil painting" using mostly Prismacolor. I have a home based biz selling my artwork, making greeting cards, and doing commissions.

I have always been interested in art, use to make special cards for friends all along, but didn't really get back into making art until 1999 after I got married to my soulmate. My art started out as a means of journaling things that I have experienced in my life and expanded from there.

My favorite subjects are the above mentioned experiences, sisterhood, special occasions, and fantasy art. I was asked and I completed painting the Norfolk Mermaid Statue that resides outside the Ocean View Station Museum in Norfolk. And recently I became involved with Enchantedartists.com so my fantasy art has increased!

I have now added a new subject to my list of subjects that I create: Cancer. I was diagnosed in October 2010 and did the cancer dance for almost a year- we are slow dancing now that all the treatments are finished just have Dr check-ups a few times a year.

Sit back and let my artwork remind you of the joys of living and inspire you to look for the magic that is present all around you!