To say that Whistler clay artist Penny Martyn is inspired by nature would be to risk sounding too cliché. Yet, for this local creator whose ideas are borrowed from everything around her it is far from being the case. Living in one of British Columbia’s many beautiful environments Penny gleans her ideas from not only the majestic mountains which surround Whistler area, but also from the snowflakes, the animals, the ferns and leaves. Nothing is too big or too small to become fodder for her creativity.

Her wine coolers depict the peaks above Whistler Village, the village itself, and the fauna of the valley. Sculpted artifacts such as these epitomize her art. Penny’s skill as an artist manifests itself in the hand-carved leaves she creates. Each is individually crafted, hand painted and mounted in a collage-like relief to create a woodland scene or subtle element in home décor.

For Penny, it is not simply enough to draw her ideas from all of nature’s elements. She spends countless hours researching her subject! The fern series which adorned her collection of Japanese tableware – platters, bowls, and plates – came about as a result of many strolls in the verdant and damp woods around Whistler. Much time is spent analyzing colours, creating a specific hue, and experimenting with light.

Making Whistler her home for the past 12 years, Penny E-Martyn has been busy in her Emerald studio, Garlick Mountain Tile and Ceramic in the company of her two Samoyeds, Garlick and Kejung, and her husband Bruce. She hones her craft filling orders for dog leash holders, dog bowls, tile mural, and dinnerware.

Penny’s creativity first presented itself in high school when many of her works were displayed in public and were entered in competitions. Later, she went on to the University of Vienna to study Architecture and Art History.