David Patchen Virtual Studio Tour and Talk
On Saturday, January 22, 2022, we visited Gallery artist David Patchen in his home in California.
David Patchen is internationally known for his colorful and intricate blown and hot-sculpted glass made with meticulous craftsmanship. His mastery of the murrine and cane techniques and use of vibrant colors results in large-scale work that is detailed, precise and exciting.
For two decades David’s creative energies primarily found an outlet in music, but a blowpipe and furnace have replaced his guitar and amp. A former corporate marketing professional, a glassblowing class in 2001 ignited such a passion that he transitioned his career from technology to full-time glass artist. David has been guest artist at the Corning Museum of Glass and studied at Pilchuck Glass School, founded by Dale Chihuly and John & Anne Hauberg. David was selected as Artist in Residence in Seto City, Japan, spending a month lecturing and demonstrating his work.
Primarily self-taught, David grew his skills through experimentation informed by observing local artists and a few visits with Afro Celotto, maestro and former assistant to Lino Tagliapietra from Murano, Italy. David has received awards for his work including an artistic merit scholarship for a class at Pilchuck. His book David Patchen, Glass is in the permanent collection of the Rakow Library at the Corning Museum of Glass and the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Centro Studi del Vetro (Glass Study Center Library) in Venice, Italy.
David is actively involved in the glass arts community as Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors at Public Glass (San Francisco’s center for glass art) and formery on the Pilchuck Leadership Council and Board of Directors, Glass Alliance of Northern California. David maintains a private studio within Public Glass where he creates his work. He enjoys and finds inspiration in international travel, the marine environment, science, nature and architecture.