A Life in
Making
From the Australian bush to the studio, discovering beauty in craft and material
Origins
Born and raised in Australia, Brian Horan has spent decades honing his craft across multiple artistic disciplines. What began as a passion for painting evolved into an exploration of materials — wood, metal, and glass — each medium offering new ways to express his connection to the Australian landscape and its stories.
Growing up surrounded by the Australian landscape instilled in me a deep appreciation for natural materials, textures, and the play of light across surfaces. These early experiences continue to inform every piece I create.
The Mediums
Brian's work is characterized by a deep respect for materials and process. Whether working with salvaged timber, forging metal in his studio, or selecting glass for a new panel, he approaches each piece with the same philosophy: let the material guide the work, and let the work tell its story.
Painting
Capturing the essence of Australian light and landscape through oils and acrylics
Woodworking
Listening to the grain, shaping forms that honor the tree's journey
Metalworking
The primal dance of fire and steel, creating forms that endure
Stained Glass
Painting with light itself, transforming spaces throughout the day
The Studio
His studio, nestled in the Australian bush, serves as both workshop and sanctuary — a place where the boundaries between art forms blur and new ideas take shape.
My studio is more than a workspace - it's where ideas take physical form. Each corner is dedicated to a different discipline, yet they all inform each other. A woodworking technique might inspire a painting composition; the colors of heated metal find their way into stained glass designs.
Artist Statement
I believe that true craftsmanship is a conversation between artist and material. When I work with wood, I listen to what the grain wants to become. When I paint, I respond to the light and color of the Australian landscape that surrounds me. This dialogue — between intention and discovery, between tradition and innovation — is at the heart of everything I create. My work across multiple mediums isn't about mastering different skills; it's about understanding how different materials can express the same ideas in different ways. A painting might inspire a wooden frame that becomes a piece in itself. A metalwork sculpture might lead to a stained glass panel that captures light in ways the metal never could. Each piece I create is an invitation to slow down, to look closer, and to appreciate the beauty that exists in both nature and craft.
See the Work
Explore my collection or get in touch to discuss a commission