David Patchen was born and raised in New York and studied at Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, Washington.
He describes glass as a seductive as well as challenging and particularly unforgiving medium. Its ability to hold elements in suspension, bend light, and layer color in three dimensions, not to mention its mallability in a liquid state, is what first attracted Patchen to glass.
His latest work is an exploration of detailed patterns, colors and transparency, all created through multi-layered cane and murrine. Each project begins with meticulous planning and designing of colors and patterns. He starts by pulling the cane and murrine, then carefully composes these elements to design the final work, all days prior to blowing it.
Patchen is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors at Public Glass and former member of the Glass Alliance of Northern California’s board of directors. In addition to being exhibited nationwide, his work is also collected in Canada and Europe.