Debbie Goldring, Milton, Ont., has been drawing since she was 11. Her love of horses inspired her to sketch, and at the same time she began a rewarding life with horses.

A native of Montreal, Que., Goldring is a self-taught artist who learned from hours of practice. In 1988, she dedicated herself to a career as an artist.

Goldring works in soft pastel and can achieve dramatic realism with her techniques. Her subjects range from kittens to horses and from birds to wolves.

“As an artist I strive to portray every animal I draw with the life and emotion they possess, by showing their unique character,” she said. “It’s important to me to capture each subject’s individual expression. I want the viewer to connect.”

This week’s cover, Heads Or Tails, is a pastel of a foal peaking out from behind his dam’s tail.

“I begin every piece with excitement, to see the painting evolve from a a simple sketch on paper, to something that is alive with personality,” she added.