EQUINE portrait artist Helen Allin's love of animals is obvious in her efforts to capture the real character and spirit of her subjects.

Mary, who lives and has a studio at Mary Tavy, works to commissions and specialises in detailed equine portraits in acrylics on linen-stretched canvas.

'Horses were my passion as a child, they still are, and as a former endurance rider myself I appreciate these wonderful creatures. I really try to capture not just their physical appearance but something of their true character, which they all have.

From the smallest much loved pony to most successful throughbred race horse, from Shetlands and Shires, they are all unique — and that's what I want to capture on canvas.'