Origin and First Torch
In 2005, San Diego-based glass artist Ryan O’Keefe—known worldwide as Ryno—lit his first torch with little more than curiosity and determination. Entirely self-taught, he refined his craft through relentless experimentation and repetition, working at a time when functional glass was still dismissed as counterculture rather than legitimate art. Each early piece was an act of persistence, bridging the gap between passion and profession.
The Rubber Ducky Revolution
What began as a playful concept became Ryno’s lifelong signature—the rubber ducky. Bright yellow, orange-beaked, and immediately recognizable, it evolved from novelty to icon. Ryno transformed a child’s bath toy into a symbol of rebellion, humor, and craftsmanship. The ducky became his artistic language: lighthearted at first glance, technically complex beneath the surface.
Style, Technique, and Vision
Ryno’s glasswork thrives on contrast. Simple silhouettes hide elite craftsmanship, and his pieces balance symmetry, bold color palettes, and intricate internal builds. Themes of duality—light versus dark, good versus evil—run through his work. Each duck feels animated, as if captured mid-motion, embodying the joy and precision that define his creative philosophy.
Collaboration and Community
Collaboration has been central to Ryno’s rise. He’s worked alongside influential artists such as Darby Holm, Elbo Glass, and Joep Glass, each partnership pushing technical boundaries. From cactus-ducks and dino-ducks to honey-drip hybrids, these collaborations became cornerstones of modern heady glass folklore, merging function and fantasy into collectible art.
Institutional Recognition
In 2022, Ryno joined artists Dan Coyle and Hoobs for a guest residency at the Corning Museum of Glass—one of the few institutions to bridge functional and fine art. Their collaborative mech-style sculpture blurred disciplinary lines, securing Ryno’s place among torch artists recognized by the formal art world. The project marked a milestone for both his career and the evolving legitimacy of functional glass.
Influence and Impact
Ryno redefined what functional glass could represent. His duckies connected nostalgia, pop culture, and technical mastery, showing that playfulness and precision could coexist. Collectors across the world chase his limited drops not only for the work itself but for the story each piece carries—a tangible symbol of dedication and creativity.
Legacy and What’s Next
From his San Diego studio to global showcases, Ryno continues to expand the ducky universe through new forms, collaborations, and color studies. Each evolution builds upon the same foundation: skill, patience, and originality. His story demonstrates that even a simple torch and a single idea can ignite a cultural movement.
It’s funny how fire made the duck fly.
YOUTUBE VIDEO
— Nugg Notes
SOURCES:
-
corning museum of glass — guest artist livestream (jan 13, 2022): confirms the ryno × dan coyle × hoobs residency & collaborative sculpture demo.
-
corning museum of glass — blog recap (feb 22, 2022): summarizes the week-long engagement, the elaborate functional sculpture, & why the collab mattered.
-
headies hideout — artist page: notes san diego base, “behind the torch since 2005,” signature rubber duckies, encalmos, & “good vs evil” themes.
-
wigwagmag feature (2014): early write-up calling out ryno’s duckies, san diego roots, & the duck motif’s rise from novelty to signature.
-
witch dr — brand/catalog pages: multiple listings of stand-up ducks & duck rigs; shows breadth of forms & ongoing demand.
-
connoisseur smoke shop — collab listings: documents collabs like ryno × darby holm (cactus/duck pendants & rigs), supporting the “community/collab” section.
-
glasspass — artist marketplace: active catalog of ryno pieces (caps, pendants, duck accessories), evidencing collector chase & drops.
-
youtube — “rubber duck rig w/ ryno”: demo where ryno describes his path & self-taught background, reinforcing origin/technique points.
-
youtube — corning livestream recording: full video of the 2022 amphitheater hot shop demo to cite the museum appearance directly.
0 comments