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Debra Buchanan - "A Piece of the Way Home" Charcoal Drawing
$2,900.00
Availability:
In stock
SKU
120103
Note: This piece is currently with the artist, please allow for a 2 week lead time.
"A Piece of the Way Home"
Charcoal Drawing.
38" W x 48" H.
Framed.
"I took the reference photo for this drawing in the early eighties, not that I want to age myself, and have always loved it. I knew I wanted to do more with the photo than just a photograph and here it is. I was returning to college at Columbus College of Art and Design after Easter, spring break. These three little girls were walking on the sidewalk just across from my house in the Ironwood neighborhood of East Toledo. I grabbed my father’s 1950’s Leica SLR and snapped the photo. I returned to school, developed the film, and printed the photos. I printed it several ways, black and white as that was the film I had in the camera, sepia tone, and part black and white part sepia tone. And, while the photo was lovely, I knew I could make it better, I could give it a stronger voice. Norman Rockwell himself couldn’t have posed these little girls better than they did themselves. When you look closely at the details, they were barefoot and it was chilly out. The center girl had her sweater buttoned incorrectly and wore pants that were significantly to large for her. She is holding a stick with some sort of knit cap attached to the stick filled with I don’t know what, as though they were running away from home. The two smaller girls that bookend the older child, were in fact twins, not identical, but twins non the less. The first child wearing a dress which is clearly too large for her, is missing a belt and the hem of the dress was coming undone. She is holding a milk jug. The third youngster again has a dress too large for her as you can see the sleeve is longer than her hand and has a tear in the sleeve of her polkadot dress. It is clear that these children lived in poverty, but they and their clothes were clean. I knew the girls lived somewhere in the neighborhood even though I didn’t know them. Wondering if I might be able to locate them, after so much time had passed, I posted on Facebook. I asked all of my old neighborhood friends if they could identify the children. And thanks to Mary Peacock Wilson, found the twins mother who was thrilled to have a copy of the photo as the first twin had passed away. She put me in touch with the smaller twin Melody and she again was very excited about the drawing. No one was able to identify the middle girl. One of the reasons it took me so long to complete a drawing was I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do with the background. I have intentionally become more narrative in my recent work. Then it came to me, a fence, as a fence can keep someone or something in or keep something or someone out. The fence had to be a hodgepodge of assembled wooden pieces as that is what we would have seen in our neighborhood and represents the boundaries we face in our lives. I decided to place a tree in the background with five main branches as though it were a hand reaching out for the girls representing the challenges we face in our lives. While I placed the girls on a dirt path, behind the fence is a grassy field. The mantra, “The grass is always greener…” running through my brain. The time for this piece is now. It is very relevant to the times we live in. I grew up poor on the East Side of Toledo and wouldn’t give that up for anything in the world. We were a community. The fact that after some forty odd years with the help of old neighborhood friends I was able to identify two of the children in this photo pays homage to that community. I believe resolutely, that we can overcome the obstacles life puts in our way and achieve significant accomplishments with the help, mentoring, guidance, respect and love of those around us, our community."
Debra Buchanan
Debra Buchanan's keen observational skill, attention to detail, and compositional acumen demonstrate a mastery of materials and aesthetics. Exquisite rendering is the hallmark of this accomplished artist. Whether in oils, pastels, graphite, or charcoal, her technique is impeccable. She ardently carries on the still life and portrait traditions established by seventeenth century masters, imbuing her own modern spin into her work. Buchanan's work has been exhibited in numerous galleries as well as being awarded locally, regionally, and nationally.
Education
2004 Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, Masters in Education, Curriculum/Teaching
1993 Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio, BFA, Illustration/Advertising
1979 Louisiana Tech University, European Study Program, Italy, Greece, France
Awards
2024 Douglas Edward Koch Memorial Award, Wassenberg Art Center 35th Annual Artists Exhibit and Sale, Van Wert, OH
2024 Robin D. Henry Merit Award, Richmond Art Museum 126th Annual Exhibition by Indiana & Ohio Artists, Richmond, IN
2024 Honorable Mention, NOWOH Exhibition, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2023 Waite High School Distinguished Alumni Award in the field of Art and Community Service
2023 Best of Show, NOWOH Exhibition, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
2023 First Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Swanton, Ohio
2022 Best of Show, First Place, and Second Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Swanton, Ohio
2022 Finalist, Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MA
2022 Honorable Mention, 100+5 Exhibition Toledo University Center for Visual Arts, Toledo, Ohio
2021 Finalist, Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MA Best of Show and First Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Swanton, Ohio
2019 Finalist, Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MAThird Place, Findlay Art League's Fall Exhibition, Findlay, Ohio
2018 First Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2017 Second Place & Honorable Mention, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2016 First Place & People's Choice, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2015 First Place Works on Paper, 71st Ohio Annual Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
2015 People's Choice & Second Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2011 Molly Morepeth Canaday Award for Painting, 93rd Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2010 Leonardo da Vinci Award, Salon de Refuse Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2009 Second Place, A Different Perspective, Findlay Art League, Findlay, Ohio
2009 Picasso Award & Honorable Mention, Prizm Member's Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2005 Third Award, 87th Toledo Area Artist Award, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2005 Hancock Youth Leadership Award & Award of Merit, 29th Annual Juried Show, Findlay Art League, Findlay, Ohio
2004 Purchase Award, 86th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2003 Best of Show & Second Place, Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo
2002 Award of Merit, The Healing Power of Art, Lexington Art League, Lexington, Kentucky
2002 Award for Outstanding Art, Skokie 40th Annual Art Festival, Skokie, Illinois
2002 Second Place, Salon de Refuse Exhibition, Toledo, Ohio
Exhibitions
2025 Allen County Museum, From Fields to Facades: Ohio Landscapes, Lima, OH
2024 Richmond Art Museum 126th Annual Exhibition by Indiana and Ohio Artists, Richmond, IN
2024 Wassenberg Art Center 35th Annual Artist Exhibition and Sale, Van Wert, OH
2024 Ohio Artist Registry Exhibition Columbus Metropolitan Main Library, Columbus, OH
2024 American Artists Professional League 96th Grand National Exhibition, Online Exhibition
2024 Allied Artists of America 111th Annual online Exhibition
2024 16th Annual Northwest Ohio Community Exhibition, Bowling Green State University Fine Art Center, Bowling Green, OH
2024 Allied Artists of America Associate online Exhibition
2023 19th Annual Bryn Du Art Show, Bryn Du Mansion, Granville, Ohio
2023 77th Annual Ohio Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
2023 Allied Artis of America 110th online Exhibition
2023 16th Annual Northwest Ohio Community Exhibition, Bowling Green State University Fine Art Center, Bowling Green, Ohio
2023 Swanton Fine Art Competition, Swanton, Ohio
2022 76th Annual Ohio Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, OH
2022 TFAS 100+5: Juried Regional Exhibition, Center for Visual Arts, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
2022 Time Will Tell Exhibition, Ashland University, Ashland, OH
2022 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Gold Club, Swanton OH
2022 Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MA
2022 Chasing Ghosts VII, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, Oregon
2021 Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MA
2021 Swanton Fine Art Competition, Swanton, OH
2020 A Touch of Color Exhibition, Fuller Art House, Sylvania, Ohio
2020 76th Ohio Annual Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
2020 100+3 Toledo Federation of Artists, 20 North Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2019 Inaugural Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MA
2019 38th Annual Michigan Fine Art Competition and Exhibition, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Birmingham, MI
2019 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, OH
2019 12th Annual NowOh Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, BG, OH
2019 Findlay art League's Open Fall Exhibition, Findlay, Ohio
2018 Art Now Drawing, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, Ohio
2018 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2018 Fuller Art House Invitational, Sylvania, Ohio
2018 Findlay Art League's Open Fall Exhibition, Findlay, Ohio
2017 The Chautauqua National Juried Exhibition, Order & Chaos, Richmond, Kentucky
2017 Prizm Art-a-Fair Invitational Exhibition, One SeaGate, Toledo, Ohio
2017 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2016 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2016 The Artist Kitchen Invitational Exhibition, Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, Ohio
2016 7th Annual NOWOH Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, B. G., Ohio
2015 93rd Annual All-Media Exhibition, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan
2015 71st Ohio Annual Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
2015 Ohio State Fair Fine Art Exhibition, Cox Fine Art Center, Columbus, Ohio
2015 People on Paper, Community Gallery, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2015 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2014 7th Annual NOWOH Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, B. G. Ohio
2012 Now Wow Project II, National International Juried Exhibition, Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, Ohio
2012 5th Annual NOWOH Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, B. G. Ohio
2011 93rd Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2011 Toledo Museum of Art Community Gallery, Prizm Creative Community, Toledo, Ohio
2010 Salon de Refuse, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Parkwood Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2009 A Different Perspective, Findlay Art League, Findlay, Ohio
2009 NOWOH Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2009 Member's Show, Prizm Creative Community, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
2008 90th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2008 Spring Exhibition, Lima Art Space, Lima, Ohio
2007 Garden Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Parkwood Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2007 Faces Exhibition, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Perrysburg, Ohio
2007 Faculty Exhibition, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Perrysburg, Ohio
2006 Faculty Exhibition, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Perrysburg, Ohio
2005 29th Annual Juried Show, Findlay Art League, Findlay, Ohio
2005 Art on the Mall, Toledo University, Toledo, Ohio
2005 Group Exhibition, Parkwood Gallery, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2004 Faculty Exhibition, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Perrysburg, Ohio
2004 86th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2004 5 X 7 Group Show, Eberly Center, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2003 85th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2003 16th Annual Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2003 The Black Swamp Arts Festival, Bowling Green, Ohio
2004 Faculty Exhibition, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Perrysburg, Ohio
2004 86th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2004 5 X 7 Group Show, Eberly Center, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2003 85th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2003 16th Annual Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2003 The Black Swamp Arts Festival, Bowling Green, Ohio
2002 Great Lakes Pastel Society Regional Exhibition, Birmingham, Michigan
2002 15th Annual Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2002 The Healing Power of Art National Exhibition, Lexington Art League, Lexington, Kentucky
2002 Solo Show, Franciscan Center, Lourdes University, Sylvania, Ohio
2002 Salon de Refuse Exhibition, 20 North Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2001 The Nude 2001 National/International Exhibition, Lexington Art League, Lexington, Kentucky
2001 2nd Annual Photography Exhibition, Turning Point Gallery, Washington DC
2001 83rd Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2001 Solo Show, SeaGate Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2001 Art on the Mall, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2000 Harrisburg 72nd Annual National/International Exhibition, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
2000 Studio Artist Exhibition, 20 North Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2000 Solo Show, Franciscan Center, Lourdes University, Sylvania, Ohio
2000 Award Winners Group Show, Angelwood Gallery, Grand Rapids, Ohio
2000 Art on the Mall, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
Collaborations and Public Projects
2023 Bowling Green Senior center, Bowling Green, Ohio, Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my designs were commissioned as a glass mosaic mural completed by Gail Christofferson, Sylvania, Ohio
2023 Bridge design, Sylvania Ohio Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my designs were commissioned as a glass mosaic mural completed by Gail Christofferson.
2022 Brightview Senior Living, Virginia, Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my concept and design was commissioned as a mural.
2022 Facebook Data Center, New Albany, Ohio, Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my concept and design was commissioned as a mural.
2022 Bowling Green State University Alumni Center, Bowling Green, Ohio, Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my concept and design was commissioned as a mural.
2022 Franklin Park Mall, Toledo, Ohio, Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my concept and design was commissioned as a mural.
2021 Detroit Institute of Art, for the Macomb Library my design was selected and implemented by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson.
2021 New Mexico, Albuquerque Government Offices, my design concept was selected and implemented as a mural by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson.
2021 Our House, Ypsilanti, Michigan, my design was selected and implemented as a 5 x 12-foot mural by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson.
2020 Simpson Garden Park, Bowling green, Ohio, my design executed in glass by Gail Christofferson as a sculpture in the park.
2019 Facebook Data Center, Bend, Oregon, working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was selected and installed as a mural 6 x 12 feet.
2019 Mentor Library, Mentor, Ohio, my design was selected and implemented by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson.
2019 Facebook Data Center, New Albany Ohio, my second design was selected and installed as a 8 X 12 foot mural by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson.
2018 Facebook Data Center, New Albany, Ohio, working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was selected and installed as a mural 6 x 14 feet.
2018 First Federal Bank, Sylvania, Ohio, working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist, Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a glass mosaic window treatment.
2018 First Presbyterian Church in Maumee, Ohio, working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist, Gail Christofferson, my design is being commissioned and installed as a window hanging 2 x 11 ½ feet.
2018 Abe's Garden Alzheimer Facility, Nashville Tennessee, my design was selected and installed by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson as a 3 X 5-foot mural.
2018 Maumee Valley Hospital South, Dayton, Ohio, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, and the Dayton Arts Commission selected my design installed as a glass mosaic mural 10 X 24 feet.
2017 Southeast Branch Library, Dayton, Ohio, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a mural 10 X 15 feet.
2017 Kroger's Grocery, Waterville, Ohio, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a mural 10 X 19 feet.
2017 Washtenaw and Monroe County Youth Centers, YAAW, Ann Arbor & Monroe Michigan, my designs for Obelisk sculpture collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson were constructed for the youth centers.
2016 Perrysburg Cancer Center, Perrysburg, Ohio collaborating with glass artist Gail Christofferson my design was commissioned and installed as a glass mosaic mural window treatment, 4 panels, 24 x 74 inches each panel.
2015 Lorain Public Library, Lorain, Ohio, collaborating with glass artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and implemented as a 5 X 10-foot glass mosaic mural.
2015 Dayton Public Library, Kettering Branch, Kettering, Ohio collaborating with glass artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a glass mosaic mural, 6 x 9 feet.
Art Related Employment / Service
- Instructor for workshops and classes in painting, drawing, mixed media, collage for various organizations including Art Supply Depo, Prizm Creative Community, Toledo Artist Club, Port Clinton Artist Club.
- Developed and implemented "Knitting for the Needy" after school program at Larchmont Elementary with Toledo Public Schools, teaching sixth grade students how to knit scarves which were then donated to the battered women's shelter at the YWCA.
- Served as a board member at Spectrum Friends of Fine Arts, volunteering as the Chairperson for Education and Ways and Means Committee, and curating shows.
- Assistant to portrait artist Leslie Adams 2015 to present.
- Adjunct Drawing instructor at Owens Community College 2004/2007.
- Art instructor at Horizon Science Academy, Toledo, Ohio 2012/2013.
- Free-lance artist working for clients such as Fahlgren Advertising Agency, Keidan's Jewelers, Toledo Zoo.
Gallery Representation
TMA Store Local Artist Gallery, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
Publications
"While many artists concentrate on one medium, Buchanan explores many tackling new forms until she conquers them. Once comfortable with her tools, Buchanan demonstrates bravado, playing light against shadow much like Kathe Kollwitz or photographer Margaret Bourke-White. Her creativity seems to ooze from her body." The City Paper, September 6-12, 2001: Matthew Weiderhold.
"Debra Buchanan has two works in the show. "Red Plaid Shirt," a pastel portrait depicting a man in a red plaid shirt. His piercing brown eyes gaze warily at the world through black-rimmed glasses. His dark hair is graying in a way people refer to as distinguished. Through the red plaid of the title shirt is perfectly rendered - indeed, the medium really lends itself to creating the texture of flannel - it seems as though this man would feel much more at home in a three-piece suit, complete with power tie. Something in his steady gaze conveys an authority belied by his attire. The portrait compels attention and is worthy of a second glance." The Weekly, 3-30-00: Rebecca Golden.
"Soft textural decorative handmade paper creations. They are neat, beaded and threaded, shadow-boxed and utterly professional." The Toledo Blade, 8-17-00: Rebekah Scott.
"Debra Buchanan can be counted on to go far in the realist realm of painting. She holds an impressive record of awards and commissions for such a young artist. Her hauntingly beautiful black and white charcoal drawings are simply stunning." 20 North Gallery 2000: Peggy Grant, Art Director.
Publications
2023 BG Independent News, Bowing Green, Ohio July 15, 2023
2023 Featured Artist, American Frame
2022 Toledo Blade, Sunday, June 26
2022 American Frame Website, Featured Artist November 2022
2021 Toledo Museum of Art's digital Winter 2021-2022 Catalog
2021 Toledo Museum of Art, Art Matters, Winter/Spring 2021
2021 Draft Diaries podcast interview WGTE
2019 Toledo Museum of Art's catalog
2016 Toledo Blade, Thursday, November 3, 2016, Around Town
2011 Toledo Blade, August 28, 2011
2011 Toledo Museum of Art, Art Matters, September-December 2011
2011 Toledo Museum of Art, Art Matters, January-April 2011
2011 Toledo Museum of Art, Late 2011 Exhibition Brochure
2011 93rd Toledo Area Artist Exhibition Catalog, Toledo Federation of Artists & Toledo Museum of Art
2010 The City Paper, November 10, 2010
2010 The Perrysburg Journal, June 2010
2005 Toledo Blade, January 28, 2005
2005 The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, May 2005
2001 The City Paper, September 2001
Grants
2024 Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Accelerator Grant $1500.00
2024 Lucas County Rescue Grant for Individual Artists $2500.00
2023 Lucas County Rescue Grant for Individual Artists $1000.00
2022 Lucas County Rescue Grant for Individual Artists $1500.00
All sales on original artwork are final. No discounts apply.
"A Piece of the Way Home"
Charcoal Drawing.
38" W x 48" H.
Framed.
"I took the reference photo for this drawing in the early eighties, not that I want to age myself, and have always loved it. I knew I wanted to do more with the photo than just a photograph and here it is. I was returning to college at Columbus College of Art and Design after Easter, spring break. These three little girls were walking on the sidewalk just across from my house in the Ironwood neighborhood of East Toledo. I grabbed my father’s 1950’s Leica SLR and snapped the photo. I returned to school, developed the film, and printed the photos. I printed it several ways, black and white as that was the film I had in the camera, sepia tone, and part black and white part sepia tone. And, while the photo was lovely, I knew I could make it better, I could give it a stronger voice. Norman Rockwell himself couldn’t have posed these little girls better than they did themselves. When you look closely at the details, they were barefoot and it was chilly out. The center girl had her sweater buttoned incorrectly and wore pants that were significantly to large for her. She is holding a stick with some sort of knit cap attached to the stick filled with I don’t know what, as though they were running away from home. The two smaller girls that bookend the older child, were in fact twins, not identical, but twins non the less. The first child wearing a dress which is clearly too large for her, is missing a belt and the hem of the dress was coming undone. She is holding a milk jug. The third youngster again has a dress too large for her as you can see the sleeve is longer than her hand and has a tear in the sleeve of her polkadot dress. It is clear that these children lived in poverty, but they and their clothes were clean. I knew the girls lived somewhere in the neighborhood even though I didn’t know them. Wondering if I might be able to locate them, after so much time had passed, I posted on Facebook. I asked all of my old neighborhood friends if they could identify the children. And thanks to Mary Peacock Wilson, found the twins mother who was thrilled to have a copy of the photo as the first twin had passed away. She put me in touch with the smaller twin Melody and she again was very excited about the drawing. No one was able to identify the middle girl. One of the reasons it took me so long to complete a drawing was I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do with the background. I have intentionally become more narrative in my recent work. Then it came to me, a fence, as a fence can keep someone or something in or keep something or someone out. The fence had to be a hodgepodge of assembled wooden pieces as that is what we would have seen in our neighborhood and represents the boundaries we face in our lives. I decided to place a tree in the background with five main branches as though it were a hand reaching out for the girls representing the challenges we face in our lives. While I placed the girls on a dirt path, behind the fence is a grassy field. The mantra, “The grass is always greener…” running through my brain. The time for this piece is now. It is very relevant to the times we live in. I grew up poor on the East Side of Toledo and wouldn’t give that up for anything in the world. We were a community. The fact that after some forty odd years with the help of old neighborhood friends I was able to identify two of the children in this photo pays homage to that community. I believe resolutely, that we can overcome the obstacles life puts in our way and achieve significant accomplishments with the help, mentoring, guidance, respect and love of those around us, our community."
Debra Buchanan
Debra Buchanan's keen observational skill, attention to detail, and compositional acumen demonstrate a mastery of materials and aesthetics. Exquisite rendering is the hallmark of this accomplished artist. Whether in oils, pastels, graphite, or charcoal, her technique is impeccable. She ardently carries on the still life and portrait traditions established by seventeenth century masters, imbuing her own modern spin into her work. Buchanan's work has been exhibited in numerous galleries as well as being awarded locally, regionally, and nationally.
Education
2004 Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, Masters in Education, Curriculum/Teaching
1993 Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio, BFA, Illustration/Advertising
1979 Louisiana Tech University, European Study Program, Italy, Greece, France
Awards
2024 Douglas Edward Koch Memorial Award, Wassenberg Art Center 35th Annual Artists Exhibit and Sale, Van Wert, OH
2024 Robin D. Henry Merit Award, Richmond Art Museum 126th Annual Exhibition by Indiana & Ohio Artists, Richmond, IN
2024 Honorable Mention, NOWOH Exhibition, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2023 Waite High School Distinguished Alumni Award in the field of Art and Community Service
2023 Best of Show, NOWOH Exhibition, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
2023 First Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Swanton, Ohio
2022 Best of Show, First Place, and Second Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Swanton, Ohio
2022 Finalist, Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MA
2022 Honorable Mention, 100+5 Exhibition Toledo University Center for Visual Arts, Toledo, Ohio
2021 Finalist, Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MA Best of Show and First Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Swanton, Ohio
2019 Finalist, Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MAThird Place, Findlay Art League's Fall Exhibition, Findlay, Ohio
2018 First Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2017 Second Place & Honorable Mention, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2016 First Place & People's Choice, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2015 First Place Works on Paper, 71st Ohio Annual Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
2015 People's Choice & Second Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2011 Molly Morepeth Canaday Award for Painting, 93rd Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2010 Leonardo da Vinci Award, Salon de Refuse Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2009 Second Place, A Different Perspective, Findlay Art League, Findlay, Ohio
2009 Picasso Award & Honorable Mention, Prizm Member's Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2005 Third Award, 87th Toledo Area Artist Award, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2005 Hancock Youth Leadership Award & Award of Merit, 29th Annual Juried Show, Findlay Art League, Findlay, Ohio
2004 Purchase Award, 86th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2003 Best of Show & Second Place, Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo
2002 Award of Merit, The Healing Power of Art, Lexington Art League, Lexington, Kentucky
2002 Award for Outstanding Art, Skokie 40th Annual Art Festival, Skokie, Illinois
2002 Second Place, Salon de Refuse Exhibition, Toledo, Ohio
Exhibitions
2025 Allen County Museum, From Fields to Facades: Ohio Landscapes, Lima, OH
2024 Richmond Art Museum 126th Annual Exhibition by Indiana and Ohio Artists, Richmond, IN
2024 Wassenberg Art Center 35th Annual Artist Exhibition and Sale, Van Wert, OH
2024 Ohio Artist Registry Exhibition Columbus Metropolitan Main Library, Columbus, OH
2024 American Artists Professional League 96th Grand National Exhibition, Online Exhibition
2024 Allied Artists of America 111th Annual online Exhibition
2024 16th Annual Northwest Ohio Community Exhibition, Bowling Green State University Fine Art Center, Bowling Green, OH
2024 Allied Artists of America Associate online Exhibition
2023 19th Annual Bryn Du Art Show, Bryn Du Mansion, Granville, Ohio
2023 77th Annual Ohio Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
2023 Allied Artis of America 110th online Exhibition
2023 16th Annual Northwest Ohio Community Exhibition, Bowling Green State University Fine Art Center, Bowling Green, Ohio
2023 Swanton Fine Art Competition, Swanton, Ohio
2022 76th Annual Ohio Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, OH
2022 TFAS 100+5: Juried Regional Exhibition, Center for Visual Arts, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
2022 Time Will Tell Exhibition, Ashland University, Ashland, OH
2022 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Gold Club, Swanton OH
2022 Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MA
2022 Chasing Ghosts VII, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, Oregon
2021 Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MA
2021 Swanton Fine Art Competition, Swanton, OH
2020 A Touch of Color Exhibition, Fuller Art House, Sylvania, Ohio
2020 76th Ohio Annual Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
2020 100+3 Toledo Federation of Artists, 20 North Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2019 Inaugural Martha's Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha's Vineyard, MA
2019 38th Annual Michigan Fine Art Competition and Exhibition, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Birmingham, MI
2019 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, OH
2019 12th Annual NowOh Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, BG, OH
2019 Findlay art League's Open Fall Exhibition, Findlay, Ohio
2018 Art Now Drawing, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, Ohio
2018 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2018 Fuller Art House Invitational, Sylvania, Ohio
2018 Findlay Art League's Open Fall Exhibition, Findlay, Ohio
2017 The Chautauqua National Juried Exhibition, Order & Chaos, Richmond, Kentucky
2017 Prizm Art-a-Fair Invitational Exhibition, One SeaGate, Toledo, Ohio
2017 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2016 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2016 The Artist Kitchen Invitational Exhibition, Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, Ohio
2016 7th Annual NOWOH Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, B. G., Ohio
2015 93rd Annual All-Media Exhibition, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan
2015 71st Ohio Annual Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
2015 Ohio State Fair Fine Art Exhibition, Cox Fine Art Center, Columbus, Ohio
2015 People on Paper, Community Gallery, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2015 Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
2014 7th Annual NOWOH Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, B. G. Ohio
2012 Now Wow Project II, National International Juried Exhibition, Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, Ohio
2012 5th Annual NOWOH Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, B. G. Ohio
2011 93rd Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2011 Toledo Museum of Art Community Gallery, Prizm Creative Community, Toledo, Ohio
2010 Salon de Refuse, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Parkwood Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2009 A Different Perspective, Findlay Art League, Findlay, Ohio
2009 NOWOH Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2009 Member's Show, Prizm Creative Community, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
2008 90th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2008 Spring Exhibition, Lima Art Space, Lima, Ohio
2007 Garden Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Parkwood Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2007 Faces Exhibition, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Perrysburg, Ohio
2007 Faculty Exhibition, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Perrysburg, Ohio
2006 Faculty Exhibition, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Perrysburg, Ohio
2005 29th Annual Juried Show, Findlay Art League, Findlay, Ohio
2005 Art on the Mall, Toledo University, Toledo, Ohio
2005 Group Exhibition, Parkwood Gallery, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2004 Faculty Exhibition, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Perrysburg, Ohio
2004 86th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2004 5 X 7 Group Show, Eberly Center, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2003 85th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2003 16th Annual Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2003 The Black Swamp Arts Festival, Bowling Green, Ohio
2004 Faculty Exhibition, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Perrysburg, Ohio
2004 86th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2004 5 X 7 Group Show, Eberly Center, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2003 85th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2003 16th Annual Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2003 The Black Swamp Arts Festival, Bowling Green, Ohio
2002 Great Lakes Pastel Society Regional Exhibition, Birmingham, Michigan
2002 15th Annual Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2002 The Healing Power of Art National Exhibition, Lexington Art League, Lexington, Kentucky
2002 Solo Show, Franciscan Center, Lourdes University, Sylvania, Ohio
2002 Salon de Refuse Exhibition, 20 North Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2001 The Nude 2001 National/International Exhibition, Lexington Art League, Lexington, Kentucky
2001 2nd Annual Photography Exhibition, Turning Point Gallery, Washington DC
2001 83rd Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
2001 Solo Show, SeaGate Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2001 Art on the Mall, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
2000 Harrisburg 72nd Annual National/International Exhibition, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
2000 Studio Artist Exhibition, 20 North Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
2000 Solo Show, Franciscan Center, Lourdes University, Sylvania, Ohio
2000 Award Winners Group Show, Angelwood Gallery, Grand Rapids, Ohio
2000 Art on the Mall, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
Collaborations and Public Projects
2023 Bowling Green Senior center, Bowling Green, Ohio, Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my designs were commissioned as a glass mosaic mural completed by Gail Christofferson, Sylvania, Ohio
2023 Bridge design, Sylvania Ohio Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my designs were commissioned as a glass mosaic mural completed by Gail Christofferson.
2022 Brightview Senior Living, Virginia, Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my concept and design was commissioned as a mural.
2022 Facebook Data Center, New Albany, Ohio, Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my concept and design was commissioned as a mural.
2022 Bowling Green State University Alumni Center, Bowling Green, Ohio, Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my concept and design was commissioned as a mural.
2022 Franklin Park Mall, Toledo, Ohio, Collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my concept and design was commissioned as a mural.
2021 Detroit Institute of Art, for the Macomb Library my design was selected and implemented by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson.
2021 New Mexico, Albuquerque Government Offices, my design concept was selected and implemented as a mural by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson.
2021 Our House, Ypsilanti, Michigan, my design was selected and implemented as a 5 x 12-foot mural by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson.
2020 Simpson Garden Park, Bowling green, Ohio, my design executed in glass by Gail Christofferson as a sculpture in the park.
2019 Facebook Data Center, Bend, Oregon, working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was selected and installed as a mural 6 x 12 feet.
2019 Mentor Library, Mentor, Ohio, my design was selected and implemented by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson.
2019 Facebook Data Center, New Albany Ohio, my second design was selected and installed as a 8 X 12 foot mural by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson.
2018 Facebook Data Center, New Albany, Ohio, working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was selected and installed as a mural 6 x 14 feet.
2018 First Federal Bank, Sylvania, Ohio, working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist, Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a glass mosaic window treatment.
2018 First Presbyterian Church in Maumee, Ohio, working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist, Gail Christofferson, my design is being commissioned and installed as a window hanging 2 x 11 ½ feet.
2018 Abe's Garden Alzheimer Facility, Nashville Tennessee, my design was selected and installed by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson as a 3 X 5-foot mural.
2018 Maumee Valley Hospital South, Dayton, Ohio, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, and the Dayton Arts Commission selected my design installed as a glass mosaic mural 10 X 24 feet.
2017 Southeast Branch Library, Dayton, Ohio, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a mural 10 X 15 feet.
2017 Kroger's Grocery, Waterville, Ohio, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a mural 10 X 19 feet.
2017 Washtenaw and Monroe County Youth Centers, YAAW, Ann Arbor & Monroe Michigan, my designs for Obelisk sculpture collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson were constructed for the youth centers.
2016 Perrysburg Cancer Center, Perrysburg, Ohio collaborating with glass artist Gail Christofferson my design was commissioned and installed as a glass mosaic mural window treatment, 4 panels, 24 x 74 inches each panel.
2015 Lorain Public Library, Lorain, Ohio, collaborating with glass artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and implemented as a 5 X 10-foot glass mosaic mural.
2015 Dayton Public Library, Kettering Branch, Kettering, Ohio collaborating with glass artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a glass mosaic mural, 6 x 9 feet.
Art Related Employment / Service
- Instructor for workshops and classes in painting, drawing, mixed media, collage for various organizations including Art Supply Depo, Prizm Creative Community, Toledo Artist Club, Port Clinton Artist Club.
- Developed and implemented "Knitting for the Needy" after school program at Larchmont Elementary with Toledo Public Schools, teaching sixth grade students how to knit scarves which were then donated to the battered women's shelter at the YWCA.
- Served as a board member at Spectrum Friends of Fine Arts, volunteering as the Chairperson for Education and Ways and Means Committee, and curating shows.
- Assistant to portrait artist Leslie Adams 2015 to present.
- Adjunct Drawing instructor at Owens Community College 2004/2007.
- Art instructor at Horizon Science Academy, Toledo, Ohio 2012/2013.
- Free-lance artist working for clients such as Fahlgren Advertising Agency, Keidan's Jewelers, Toledo Zoo.
Gallery Representation
TMA Store Local Artist Gallery, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
Publications
"While many artists concentrate on one medium, Buchanan explores many tackling new forms until she conquers them. Once comfortable with her tools, Buchanan demonstrates bravado, playing light against shadow much like Kathe Kollwitz or photographer Margaret Bourke-White. Her creativity seems to ooze from her body." The City Paper, September 6-12, 2001: Matthew Weiderhold.
"Debra Buchanan has two works in the show. "Red Plaid Shirt," a pastel portrait depicting a man in a red plaid shirt. His piercing brown eyes gaze warily at the world through black-rimmed glasses. His dark hair is graying in a way people refer to as distinguished. Through the red plaid of the title shirt is perfectly rendered - indeed, the medium really lends itself to creating the texture of flannel - it seems as though this man would feel much more at home in a three-piece suit, complete with power tie. Something in his steady gaze conveys an authority belied by his attire. The portrait compels attention and is worthy of a second glance." The Weekly, 3-30-00: Rebecca Golden.
"Soft textural decorative handmade paper creations. They are neat, beaded and threaded, shadow-boxed and utterly professional." The Toledo Blade, 8-17-00: Rebekah Scott.
"Debra Buchanan can be counted on to go far in the realist realm of painting. She holds an impressive record of awards and commissions for such a young artist. Her hauntingly beautiful black and white charcoal drawings are simply stunning." 20 North Gallery 2000: Peggy Grant, Art Director.
Publications
2023 BG Independent News, Bowing Green, Ohio July 15, 2023
2023 Featured Artist, American Frame
2022 Toledo Blade, Sunday, June 26
2022 American Frame Website, Featured Artist November 2022
2021 Toledo Museum of Art's digital Winter 2021-2022 Catalog
2021 Toledo Museum of Art, Art Matters, Winter/Spring 2021
2021 Draft Diaries podcast interview WGTE
2019 Toledo Museum of Art's catalog
2016 Toledo Blade, Thursday, November 3, 2016, Around Town
2011 Toledo Blade, August 28, 2011
2011 Toledo Museum of Art, Art Matters, September-December 2011
2011 Toledo Museum of Art, Art Matters, January-April 2011
2011 Toledo Museum of Art, Late 2011 Exhibition Brochure
2011 93rd Toledo Area Artist Exhibition Catalog, Toledo Federation of Artists & Toledo Museum of Art
2010 The City Paper, November 10, 2010
2010 The Perrysburg Journal, June 2010
2005 Toledo Blade, January 28, 2005
2005 The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, May 2005
2001 The City Paper, September 2001
Grants
2024 Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Accelerator Grant $1500.00
2024 Lucas County Rescue Grant for Individual Artists $2500.00
2023 Lucas County Rescue Grant for Individual Artists $1000.00
2022 Lucas County Rescue Grant for Individual Artists $1500.00
All sales on original artwork are final. No discounts apply.
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