JULIA Norris has discovered that more and more people are taking an interest in her hobby- painting water colours of houses and boats.

Julia began doing the work as gifts for people but it soon progressed- with people commissioning her work.

Julia, who spent most of her childhood years at Drumclay, in Enniskillen, said she realised that the idea of painting people’s houses and boats may sound “twee”, but added there is a demand.

A keen artist at school, Julia, who will finish working with Irish World in Belmore Street in July, hopes to take up her painting full time and start a business from home.

She did not take up painting until she returned to Enniskillen - finding that she was getting some commissions for water colour paintings of houses as well as those she was doing for gifts.

In fact, the interest in her work has grown and Julia expects to promote it even further, by going to craft fairs.

As well as the houses, she finds a considerable number of people like to have their boats painted - bringing her back to her sailing days on Lough Erne.

Since starting the venture, Julia has done up to 30 houses, in addition to some boats.

“It started as a hobby and I completed one as a gift for a friend,” said Julia.