Artist Susan Van Wagoner lives and works in Middleburg, Va. She’s combined her bachelor’s degree in studio art with a life-long knowledge of animals to produce distinctive works of fine art. The animals in her mostly life-sized work come alive with texture and feeling, and she often uses unique compositions for a dramatic effect.

“I draw and paint animals because I love them,” said Van Wagoner. “I’m fascinated by their bone structure, muscle definition, and even the direction of hair growth. When I do commissioned portraits, I spend time with the animals and photograph them extensively. I am as concerned about capturing the individual personality of a subject as I am its physical characteristics.”

This week’s cover, Horse Of A Lifetime, is a 32″ x 88″ life-size pastel pencil and colored pencil painting of Vivaldi, a junior jumper owned and ridden by Julia Lourie of Spy Coast Farm.