Cynthia O'Brien lives in Ottawa, where she is an active member of the clay community. Holding a B.F.A. from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, she has traveled abroad, absorbing much of what is evident in her work today. Cynthia works with the notion of hidden treasures. Her work emerges from a single idea that is then layered many times over to create a story base from which to work These layers come from experiences, images and people, making her work biographical in nature. It is important that the spectator also plays a part by adding his or her own story to each piece. Handbuilding in earthenware clay, Cynthia feels the pieces are created within that moment. With each moment, each piece is different. The success of the work is based on the mutual relationship between maker and material.