These are some of my favourite websites, so if you have a minute take a look at them!
Talented Equestrian Sculptress Susan Leyland
In a marketplace fairly inundated with equestrian artists of (varying) skill Susan Leyland's work stands out for both its originality, and her striking, but simple use of pure form. Susan's enormous empathy with and understanding of horses on a hands on level is reflected in the breadth and scope of her work.
photo courtesy of Susan Leyland 2010, all rights reserved
Leading Contemporary Figurative Artist Chris Gollon
I am obviously a little biased here since I have done a book about Chris's work and I am in the enviable position of only writing about subjects that I want to! However, quite apart from Chris's technical abilities and his enormous creativity, he is also a tremendous character with a wicked sense of humour. This humour, which is dust-dry and often dark, is present in a large portion of his work, and reflects his thoroughly unpretentious attitude despite the level of his success.
Dancing Professor Playing Air Guitar, 2010,
image courtesy of David Tregunna, all rights reserved
Award Winning Author Lucinda Hawksley
Lucinda, who is the great, great, great granddaughter of Charles Dickens is an award winning author who specialises in biographies and travel. Her two latest books, Katey: The Life and Loves of Dickens' Artist Daughter and Lizzie Siddal: The Tragedy of a Pre-Raphaelite Supermodel are absolutely fascinating; both are a gripping read and paint a lively account of the times. Lucinda is also a prominent lecturer and delivers intelligent and frequently hilarious talks on a wide range of subjects. More details available on her website. www.lucindahawksley.com
For Dog Lovers
The following site, From-the-DOGHOUSE is a fantastic collection of all things dog from art to humour and information to news run by a super-intelligent Schnauzer called Rodin, aided by K9 assistants Frida and Sophie, and general dogsbody, artist Robert Coane. Coane is a highly respected figurative artist - more of that further on, and an authority on any number of topics, including dogs. His bi-monthly news letter Scoop and Howl is packed with canine related pieces (some not for the faint hearted) gathered from around the world. I particularly like the newsletter because it presents a cross section of stories, some sad, funny, frightening and sobering, and avoids being overly sentimental. Link directly to the DOGHOUSE home page through www.from-the-DOGHOUSE.com and sign up for Scoop and Howl.
Coane also paints brilliant and often witty canine portraits, capturing the idiosyncracies of the individual, link directly to examples of his work through www.from-the-DOGHOUSE/PUPTRAIT/Puptraits_ARCHIVE.html 
Robert Coane - Figurative Artist
So to the serious stuff and setting dogs aside for one minute, Robert Coane is a figurative artist of substance; a bright light on the New York art scene, and one whose influence stretches across the US. He is also an enormous character, and one of alarmingly sharp intellect - fools not suffered gladly! I strongly suggest reading the short biography on his web pages, before perusing his paintings at leisure. Check out http://atelier-rc.com/RCOANE.html
Chocolate
Well just because really. Surely one of the best chocolate companies of the moment has to be Hotel Chocolate (though only for those with reasonably deep pockets, or those willing to sacrifice weekly grocery shop in lieu of, like me) Try www.hotelchocolat.co.uk
I will be putting more links on from time to time, so be sure to check back!