Glass Artist of the Month: Dave Buechner

Born into a family of artists, which includes glassblowers, curators and painters, no one was surprised when Dave Buechner (Pronounced BEAK-ner), said good-bye to college and caught the glass bug himself in 2007.

After several years of hopping between other people’s studios and backyard sheds, Beak found a new home at Royal River Glass in Portland, ME, owned by Johanna Olivadot. There, he seized the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from some of Portland’s finest glassblowers: Danny Camp, Ukiah, Will Stearns, Mr. Gray, KGB Justin Barr and Marty Preston. 
This supportive team helped Beak find his unique artistic perspective, a blend between classic shapes and funky natural elements, including his signature honeycombs and bird skulls.

Beak now works with Danny Camp and Purdy at The Ballout Shelter. He resides in Portland, ME with his girlfriend Charlotte and their cat Suki and lives by the motto “Do good work.”

Mission accomplished!

Check out Dave’s work on his Instagram, @BeakGlass

Dave’s last name is pronounced BEAK-ner. Here he pays homage to the pronunciation.
The art of honeycomb in glass is a technique that Dave has mastered.
Dave left no doubt about the purpose of this rig, dripping with concentrate-like glass globules.
These rigs, adorned with honeycomb craftsmanship, would be a welcome addition to any glass collection.
Once again, the BEAK shows up prominently in Dave’s work.
The wings of this creature are dripping with oil-like decor, all the better to take flight!
Buechner’s rigs are produced at the Ballout Shelter in Portland, ME.