MICHELLE BUCHANAN
W W W . M I C H E L L E B U C H A N A N . C O M
PAINTINGS Art takes on many meanings within society. It can be pleasant, disturbing, entertaining, historical, reflect social commentary, and reveal popular culture. It can even be informative, and used as a means of instruction. Most importantly, art is purposeful and bridges the gaps within knowledge, human emotion, and memory. We are visual creatures. I find it hard to imagine what the world would look like without art.
Self-Portrait From Mirror, 2009
Oil On Canvas
18 X 24 Inches
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you
see. — Henry David Thoreau
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Options, 2013 14X20 Oil on arches
Girl On A Boat, 2013
"The meaning of life is to find your gift.
 The purpose of life is to give it away."
Pablo Picasso 0
Amanda, 2012
Oil On Masonite
3 X 3 Feet
Sean, 2012
Oil On Canvas
Rob, 2012
Oil On Canvas
Billy, 2012
Oil On Canvas
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Hombre y Gallo, 2013
Oil on Masonite
Little Artist, 2012
Oil on Masonite 3 X 3 Feet
There is far more involved in portraiture than capturing the likeness of an individual. For me it’s about relaying the essence of a character, a moment, and a general mood or feeling. I pay a great deal of attention to the eyes when I am working on portraits. Everything you need to know can be reflected and conveyed there.
No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist. — Oscar Wilde
Amanda #3, 2013
Silvio #1, 2012
Oil On Canvas
Silvio #2, 2012
Oil On Canvas
Nobody Wants To Get On Vietnam, 2012
Oil On Masonite
4 X 4 Feet
This painting is one in a series of war paintings I am currently working on. From the early 90’s up until the mid 2000’s we were bombarded by war imagery. From Desert Storm to the September 11th terrorist attacks, we opened up our homes and private spaces to it. You rarely see those images now, and I find that quite telling in itself. I want to bring them back into view under my own terms. I realize these pieces are probably not ones that most people would want to live with. But that is the point.
Salvation, 2009
Oil on Canvas
 18 X 24 Inches
The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes, and, ironically, the more real. -Lucian Freud
Pop Culture, 2012
Oil on Masonite
 11 X 16 Inches

My Little Warrior, 2012
Oil on Paper 11 X 16 Inches
Candy Dish, 2012
 Oil on Canvas
12 X 16 Inches
The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude. — Friedrich Nietzsche
Hypocrisy, 2009
Oil on Canvas
11 X 14 Inches
Hallway, 2009
 Oil on Canvas
18 X 24 Inches
Smell Me, 2012 Oil on Canvas
12 X 12 Inches
Onion, 2012 Oil on Canvas
11 X 14 Inches
Cucumber, 2012
 Oil on Canvas
11 X 14 Inches
When I start a still life piece I attempt to create a composition that tells a narrative, or forces the viewer think about the object in a dierent way. The planning part of the process becomes a puzzle in need of solving. Presenting an object the viewer has seen hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of times in a new and unexpected way can be quite challenging.
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Journey, 2012
Oil on Canvas 24 X 36 Inches
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The New Sexy, 2010
Oil on Canvas 24 X 36 Inches
Memories, 2009 Oil on Canvas
3 X 3 Feet
Light Play, 2010 Oil on canvas
24 X 36 Inches
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A Different Kind of Landscape, 2012
Oil on Canvas 24 X 36 Inches
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Gala Redux, 2010
Oil on Canvas 36 X 24 Inches
Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. —Salvador Dali
Funny, 2010
 Oil on Masonite 4 X 4 Feet
DRAWINGS
Eye drawings, 2011 Graphite on paper Various sizes
Nude 1, 2011 Graphite & Pastel 24 X 36 Inches
Amanda, 2011 Graphite on Bristol paper
8 X 8 Inches
Panda Love, 2012 Graphite 36 X 24 Inches
The Virgin Skull
India Ink, Pastel, and Graphite on Bristol 9 X 12 Inches
Ice Cream, 2011 Graphite on Bristol paper
8 X 8 Inches
Size Matters, 2011
 Graphite on Bristol paper
8 X 8 Inches
DIGITAL WORKS
Apple
Digital on tablet with index finger
2012
After seeing an interview with David Hockney I was inspired to draw on my tablet. Digital technology has always interested me. In past years I've done photo editing and illustrative work on scanned artworks, as well as video work. But drawing in digital format had always caused an overwhelming sense of frustration for me. This time I approached it with a simple curiosity and sense of fun which resulted in a great experience. I use a Pandigital tablet while drawing from direct observation. Technology consistently oers new opportunities for artists, and that is exciting.
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Anything simple always interests me. — David Hockney
Oranges
Digital On Tablet with index finger
2012
Banana
Digital On Tablet with index fiinger
2012
Hammer
Digital on tablet with index finger
2012
Pear
Digital on tablet with index finger
2012
BIOGRAPHY Michelle is an artist living in New York state. She studied Studio Art and Visual Arts Education at Elmira College in her hometown of Elmira, NY. While much of her work focuses on portraits, she has a strong interest in social issues and popular culture. There is no subject off limits, especially the obscure and uncomfortable.
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Her work is included in the private collection of Chicago based entrepreneur and art collector Howard Tullman, as well as the artist, publisher, and editor extraordinaire Didi Menendez.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 2013
! ✦PoetsArtists Magazine - Heroes/Villains Collaboration Issue, May 2013 ! 2012 ! ✦Las Ratas - SOLD, The Tullman Collection
! ✦PoetsArtists Magazine - Issue #33 March 2012 ! ✦PoetsArtists Magazine - The Portrait Project Issue, February 2012
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✦Quantum Aquarium. Book cover art. Author Ron Androla, Publisher Didi Menendez
! ✦PoetsArtists Magazine - The Summer Interview Issue July 2012 ! ✦PoetsArtists Magazine - Artists on Artists Issue, September 2012
! ! 2010 - 2011 ! ✦Komer Art Prize - Conversation With A Cow, Honorable Mention
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EXHIBITIONS 2013
Artist Talk & Solo Exhibition of Works, Arts Alive, Elmira College GTL March Through April
CONTACT INFORMATION ✦email Michelle at MMB555@aol.com
! ✦www.michellebuchanan. com ! ✦Cell (607) 973-0202
In my studio, 2012 Front & Back Cover Art: Las Ratas, 2012 Oil On Canvas 36 X 24 Inches
Thank you