Diana Ballard Biography

I was born and raised in Berkeley, California. I received a B.A. in Zoology and a B.A. in Art at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. My interest in textiles has been strong for many years. I keep up with new and innovative surface design and dyeing techniques in the courses and workshops I attend. My interest in science influences my art. I tend to draw from nature for my inspiration. The computer has become an effective tool for the creation of my designs. Through a seminar at Philadelphia University on Digital Textile Printing I was introduced to large format fabric printing. I have now expanded my business to include digital fabric printing.

For the past 16 years I have been designing fabrics for Chefwear, Inc. Chefwear is a clothing line for the professional chef based out of Chicago, Illinois. I have been doing graphic advertisements that are in national publications. I have also been designing trade show booth graphics, business catalogs, brochures, and mailers for Diamond Surgical Products. I belong to the Reno Fiber Guild, Carson Spinners and Weavers, Handweavers Guild of America, and the Surface Design Association. I have also been a member of the Paisley Group. I was founder and a member of the Pacific Design Studios. I have sold and presented designs at SURTEX in New York City as an individual designer as well as with the Surface Design Association and Pacific Design Studios.

I have received various awards for my work. In 1999 I was awarded a professional artists grant from the Sierra Arts Foundation in Reno, Nevada.

I live and work in Carson City, Nevada. My husband and I have raised two sons in Carson City.