FROM October 3 to 16, Dez Leeke, of The Narberth Gallery, will be joined by fellow artists Alison Batt and Jacquie Walden to mount a wildlife exhibition at Colby Gallery. 'Man's Best Friend and Other Animals' will include subjects ranging from the domestic and house-trained to domestic farm animals through to the birds and the beasts of the field. As followers of Dez Leeke will know, a feature of his Pembrokeshire landscapes is his incorporation of our native wildlife, both birds and mammals. Indeed, one of his earliest accolades was being commissioned by Michael Bentine to paint a golden pheasant after spotting him on TV picking up a national art competition prize. A couple of decades on, he is still enthused by his adopted county's flora and fauna, which he reproduces with astonishing detail using delicate watercolour brush strokes (that's when he's not looking to achieve a looser style, which he frequently does in his evocative landscapes, much worked with palette knife in acrylic or oils)... and - just for the record, he also produces superb animal portraits. Alison Batt is a newcomer to Colby, but by no means to Pembrokeshire. As a member of the family who set up Tenby's 'Silent World Aquarium', she has been brought up around animals. Now based in Newport, she specialises in wildlife paintings which she has exhibited at a variety of locations around the county. Jacquie Walden, who is a regular exhibitor at Colby, will be showing her latest equestrian paintings, together with some 3D pieces. On Saturday, October 15, Colby Woodland Gardens will be taking part in "The Big Draw', when Jacquie will join National Trust staff in offering a variety of fun activities for visitors of all ages to test out their artistic skills, 'drawing inspiration' - literally - from the gardens in all their autumnal splendour. She will be on hand to sign her delightful books, 'Pencilled in Pembs' - a must for all serious sketchers. NB. Bookings are now being taken for the 'Lunch and Lecture' on Wednesday, October 26. Enquiries, please ring 814200.