Julie Smiley was born in Crescent City, California in 1977. Smiley’s main work is in oil painting, though she has often mixed media.  Smiley completed an MFA in Visual Arts Education from Ohio State University, received her teaching credential from Humboldt State University, CA, and has dual BAs in Studio Arts and Communication Arts from Gordon College, MA.

Where do we go from here? Are you from here? From here on out, things will be... From here on, I will... 

The phrase "from here" implies being in a place with some perspective, perhaps with some elevation having been gained, yet one in which we don't stay long, only to catch our breath, anticipate the next steps, and charge back in.  "From here" also may imply a place of origin and a different, desirable destination.

My latest series of work has been done in such figurative and literal places. The series "From Here" will be hung at the Natsoulas gallery from March 15th to April 2nd. In the work you might recognize the physical places I've lived this year, along with some gained consideration and hope.