Artist Focus

Artist Focus: David Patchen

David Patchen is renowned for his vivid, intricate glass creations, characterized by meticulous craftsmanship and mastery of murrine and cane techniques. His distinctive style combines creativity with technical precision, resulting in vibrant, expressive designs that are immediately recognizable. Working actively in seven series, Patchen’s work includes blown vessels and solid sculptures which dramatically freeze the undulating motion of thousands of threads of color within molten glass.

Gold/Crimson Ellipse, blown glass, murine and zanfirico cane, 17 x 14 x 4 in.

Cobalt/Violet Thread Ellipse, blown glass and murine, 18 x 14 x 4 in.

Patchen’s work is exhibited worldwide, featured in prominent private collections and museums, and is documented in his book, David Patchen, Glass. After 20-plus years in corporate marketing, Patchen took a glassblowing class in 2001, which ignited a passion to transition his career to pursue making glass art full-time. Primarily self-taught, Patchen’s artistic journey was influenced by observing local artists and visits with maestro Afro Celotto, a former assistant to Lino Tagliapietra in Murano, Italy. He has been a guest artist at the Corning Museum of Glass, Tacoma Museum of Glass, and in Seto City, Japan, where he lectured and demonstrated his craft.