Cole Gallery

Penny Berglund

Penny Berglund

Penny Berglund is a native of the “dry side” of Washington. She finds inspiration in the basalt formations of the Gorge and channeled scab lands, the furrows of the dry land wheat fields, and the cloudscapes of an almost endless sky. These vivid textures and color contrasts have found their way into her art. In the artist's words, “Raw flood carved landscapes, cultivated fields, and towering cloud forms speak to me about the creative process for the earth itself. The colors and especially the textures of my native landscape have been important influences in my work.”

Penny has worked in metals and clay for more than twenty years. The interplay of surface textures and random patterning creates work that is captivating and original. Much of her jewelry is created from metals that have been modified by etching processes, controlled heating, and hammering before the pieces have been constructed.

When she is not studying art or creating art, Penny can be found on the ski slopes or windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge. She also works with a non-profit group in Hood River, Diversity Studio, dedicated to bringing artistic enrichment opportunities to individuals in the special-needs community.



A note from Penny about Raku fired pottery: The flashing copper colors of Raku pottery are created by applying a copper containing glaze to pottery which is then heated in a special kiln to a temperature of about 1825 degrees Fahrenheit to fuse the glaze. The pottery is then removed from the kiln and placed at once into a container with burnable materials in it, such as sawdust or newspaper. Once the combustible materials ignite, the container is covered and sealed to create a smoky, oxygen poor atmosphere. This creates the color in the glaze and blackens the other portions of the pottery.

Please note that Raku pottery is for decorative use only and will not hold water. It is not safe for contact with food and should be protected from extremes of humidity or sunlight.