Mary Verrandeaux grew up in upstate New York in Cortland, a small country farming town. With not much to do in Cortland, Verrandeaux was introduced to a lifelong love of showing horses and taking care of animals.

Verrandeaux graduated with honors from Ringling School of Art and Design (Fla.) with a major in illustration and a minor in graphic design. She works from her home base in Ocala, Fla., and does commissioned portraits, fine art drawings and paintings.

Her work has been featured in Ocala Style magazine and in the Ocala Star Banner. She was selected artist for the 2003 and 2004 HITS Ocala winter circuit and the 2004 Biltmore Classic (N.C.) Horse Show program cover. She was also the cover artist for the Metropolitan National (N.Y.) Horse Show in 2004.

Comfort, a 20″ x 24″ pastel, shows two stablemates together.