Diane Black 6 Drummond St., Kingston, ON K7K 5R9 (613) 544-8268 blackmac@sympatico.ca The human figure feeds my imagination abundantly, providing a never ending source of inspiration and fascination. My sculptures result from a collaboration with the clay as expressions break through to the surface and gestures emerge with encouragement rather than imposition. Each one of a kind sculpture is built using traditional hand building methods, either pinching the clay or coil building to build height and volume. After the piece has been fired once, the surface is treated with stains, glazes and glaze pencils. It is fired again and then sometimes also treated with oil paints and/or encaustic paints. Found objects are often added to finish the composition. I began my fine arts training in London, Ontario, and then went on to graduate from the Illustration program at Sheridan College with a major in Book Illustration. I enjoyed a career in Illustration and design for many years before deciding to focus more intently on my own art as opposed to more commercial applications. With the recent addition of a second career, I am privileged to be able to divide my time between working as an electrician and working in my ceramic studio in Kingston, Ontario.