SOME of the Welsh rural heartland comes to Tenby in the form of oil paintings by Cenarth based (near Newcastle Emlyn) artist Debbie Dunbar, who is exhibiting at Art Matters Gallery in Tenby during October. Her paintings are mostly in oil and feature a mixture of subjects, including country life, livestock and horses, as well as children on the beach, still life, and landscapes.

After gaining her degree (graphic design/illustration), she worked in the graphics industry before moving to West Wales. Here she and her husband run a small stud of Welsh Cobs and Part Bred Horses, thus combining two of her passions - painting, and being in close contact with the spirited breed of horse she most admires.

Of the cobs she says, "I fancy you can see their history in them and the strength of their ancestors, coming down through the ages. Sometimes they seem to be almost of another world."

Debbie Dunbar, now a successful equine artist, favours a representational approach that relies on observation, attention to detail and a thorough knowledge of the subject, whilst interpreting the vitality and personality of the animal in a painterly style unlike photographic images. This has earned her Associate membership of the Society of Equestrian Artists and commissions from HRH Prince of Wales' private collection and The King's Troop.

The exhibition opened yesterday (Thursday) and continues until October 28, daily except Wednesday, from 10 am to 5 pm, at Art Matters Gallery in Tenby, and entry is free. The gallery is situated in South Parade, opposite the town walls and next door to the fire station

Readers are invited to meet the artist tomorrow (Saturday) from 2 to 4 pm.

For more information telephone 01834 843375. The entire exhibition will be showing on the gallery website: http://www.artmatters.org.uk">www.artmatters.org.uk