Final Answer By Susan Van Wagoner

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.”

This week’s cover, Final Answer, is a life-size pastel pencil and colored pencil painting. Final Answer was a successful show hunter who earned accolades in the professional junior and amateur-owner divisions in the early 2000s.

In 2002, “Reggie” was second year green hunter champion at Devon (Pa.) with Havens Schatt and large junior champion with Megan Moran at the National Horse Show (N.Y.) under trainer Scott Williamson. When Megan moved on to jumpers, Caroline Moran took over Reggie’s reins with great success. Sherri Crawford bought him in the fall of 2004. He succumbed to colic in 2007.