English sculptor Heather Jansch’s back story is almost as inspiring as her vibrant driftwood horses and other animals. On her site she writes that she was severely discouraged about being an artist –or most anything, in fact–because she was told she had no talent. But, her love of horses kept her drawing them, and while she made a living doing equestrian portraits she kept looking for a way to find her way as an artist. She writes that “I had to wait until I had unequivocally found what I was seeking. So I continued with commissioned work while also experimenting. Then out of the blue it came in on the tide. Driftwood. It was like a thunderbolt and I was finally ready to show my work to the world. It was driftwood horses.”

Others have followed her lead, sculpting horses with twigs and branches, but her work stands out as original and fresh. Her animals have an uncanny natural look, and her love of Leonardo Da Vinci surely shows as her artistic gifts blossom with her medium.

Heather Jansch’s Diary is 64 pages and for sale on her site. It is rich with detail with drawings and photos.