My name is Julie Mercer, I have had a life long love of art, especially of painting, and I spent two years studying fine art in the eighties after which I gained a career as a photographer. Unfortunately I stopped painting and drawing for twenty two years. I have been a professional newspaper photographer now for twenty five years.

Three years ago I began painting at Cockatoo Island Art Retreat with Glenda Cornell as my teacher, Glenda is a wonderful mentor who keeps me excited about painting.

My years of photographing people has led me to a love of getting to know people, and trying to capture them in a photograph, so it was natural for me to want to paint portraits, what better way is there of really getting to know someone, and you can say a lot more with a painting.

I have entered in some exhibitions including friends of SAM, JED award, the G.R.A.I.N store Nathalia and Rotary art shows.