Brian J. Horsch is a wood-fired ceramic sculptor with a special interest in creating animal forms, particularly indigenous species of North America that have horns, antlers, or tusks. He started sculpting at an early age, using various scrap and hard woods and a pocketknife. In 2008, he switched to working with clay and began exploring the use of wood-fired kilns to finish his work, falling in love with the unique surfaces he could achieve. Horsch works primarily with porcelain or high iron stoneware, throwing and hand building the parts for each sculpture and then meticulously sculpting each finished piece from these component parts. The natural glaze observed on each of his pieces is the result of firing them in a wood-fueled kiln. As the logs burn, the kiln temperature rises and the atmosphere fills with floating ash, which gradually builds up on all the exposed surfaces of the work inside. Once the temperature reaches 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, the wood ash begins to melt, run, and ultimately glaze each piece of sculpture. The result is a unique, one-of-a-kind sculpture with beautiful colors and patinas. Horsch's work showcases his skill and passion for creating intricate and striking sculptures that highlight the beauty and uniqueness of the natural world.