Julia Fry

Julia has always loved drawing and art generally and following a degree in art history at London University she spent 30 years working as a fine art cataloguer and valuer.

A long postponed ambition to spend more time painting and drawing was fullfilled in 2012 when she started studying oil painting with Rob Collins at Under-the-Edge Arts in Wotton-under-Edge, where she greatly appreciated both Rob's expertise and the support of the other members of the class.

Julia's favourite subjects are domestic ones such as flowers, her Romanian rescue dog Daphne and the lovely view from her home in Wotton.

Another favourite place is the sea in Cornwall and a great deal of inspiration is achieved from visiting St Ives with her family and friends.

A selection of Julia's paintings and greetings cards are stocked by The Fish out of Water Gallery, at 25 Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7BX.

Two books about Jane Austen, her life and her work

Over the last few years, Julia has been indulging in her love of Jane Austen by writing and illustrating two books about the author, her life and her work. The Lonely Shore - Jane Austen and the Sea explores Jane Austen's relationship with the sea and its impact on her writing, while Jane in Winter follows her through successive winters of her life from the ages of seven to forty.