To celebrate the end of the Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s 30th anniversary year they are launching an exciting competition with a Pyworthy-based artist.

Artist and long-term Mare and Foal Sanctuary supporter, Kathy Nettles, is creating a ‘herd’ of 30 equine paintings especially for the sanctuary that will be sold to raise funds for the charity.

Kathy is offering one lucky person the chance to have a portrait painted of them or a loved one with their horse as one of the 30 artworks. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a portrait painted by an experienced and talented artist.

Kathy creates vibrant paintings centred on the natural landscape and horses. She works primarily in oil and cold wax on board and canvas.

A keen supporter of the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, Kathy has a life-long love of equines and has even been a carer for some of the sanctuary’s horses and ponies through their Sanctuary at Home scheme.

Explaining she supports the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, Kathy said: “I am very proud to support the Mare and Foal Sanctuary. Their work offering no-shame advice and lifelong, life-changing care for rescued horses and ponies is something I feel very passionate about.

“I know that there are hundreds of equines in the South West alone that need their specialist help. Horses have made a huge positive impact on my life and are a major theme of my artwork. To be able to use my art to support the sanctuary and play my part in changing the lives of horses and ponies in need is an incredible feeling.”

The beautiful herd of 30 paintings will help the Mare and Foal Sanctuary celebrate their 30th anniversary. Many of the artworks feature horses and ponies from the sanctuary. Once the herd is complete it will go on show in the late spring. All the paintings will be available to purchase at the show or online and Kathy is kindly making a donation from the sale of paintings directly toward the Mare and Foal Sanctuary.

To enter visit the competition page givepenny.com/appeal-for/artwork-competition and upload a photograph of you, or a loved one, with a horse or pony, demonstrating the special bond you share. The winning entry will be chosen by Kathy on January 31. Kathy will then create the painting in time for the exhibition in the late spring.