Beth Messina and her family live in Mississippi. Her husband of 22 years and her 17 year old son, all share the same strong respect and love for animals. Their "animal" family consists of 4 horses, 3 dogs and 2 barn cats. The latest addition to their family is a cute little guinea pig named Ozzy.  Both cats and one of the dogs  were "rescued", as was one of the horses.

Beth has loved horses her entire life and finally came to own her own horse about 10 years ago. Her beloved "Doc's Dottie Jo" is a Palomino Quarter Horse. Dottie is what she answers to and Beth loves to use her as a subject for some of her drawings. As a matter of fact, Dottie was the inspiration for 10 of the illustrations in the book, "Why Do Horses Do That?". This is a book Beth illustrated that will be on the market September 2003 and is published by Willow Creek Press. 

Messina has sold her artwork internationally and across the United States, with very positive response. She has done many custom portraits. Her "day" job as a graphics artist has won national as well as state-wide graphics awards, and her  fine-art has also won state-wide awards. Eventually, she hopes to become an equine artist full time.