Open Spirit - Limited Edition of 100 Photograph

**Artist Statement:** As a national award-winning artist encompassing various roles such painter, graphic designer, illustrator, photographer, art director, and art history lecturer, work reflects the theme of change and the challenges that accompany it. Life's obstacles serve as pathways to new experiences, reminding me that change is the only constant. This transformation does not come easily; it is achieved through persistent struggle. Shifting one’s perspective can fundamentally alter the way we perceive the world around us. **Short Biography:** I was raised in a rural area northern New Jersey, just west of Manhattan. My artistic foundation was laid by my father, Ernest J. Buechel Sr., a gifted artist and master-modeler from Koblenz, Germany. After dedicating my youth to studying the great masters and honing my skills, I received a scholarship from the New Jersey Art Directors Club in 1977 and attended the DuCret School of Art. My experiences included numerous visits to prestigious museums in New York City, where I met. Furman J. Finck, a prominent portrait painter. His mentorship taught me the art of creating highly detailed portraits using a Wolff's carbon pencil. Following my studies, I attended Broward College and earned a fine arts degree before starting my career as an illustrator and graphic designer in New Jersey and New York City. In 1991, my journey took a new direction as I began exploring electronic recycling, particularly with precious metals, circuit boards and cathode ray tubes. My innovative work gained recognition, leading to a feature story in the New York Times in 1993 and a nomination for The New Jersey Pride Award in Science and Technology for my efforts in lead recovery from cathode ray tube glass. Eventually, my company, Advanced Recovery, assisted in the cleanup of the Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks. After selling the business in 2002, I relocated to Tennessee, where I opened an art store, gallery, café, and art restoration studio. However, my life took yet another turn when I was diagnosed with 4th stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma, to a three-year battle that ultimately inspired me to incorporate photography into my art. Throughout this journey, I held onto the belief expressed by Chuck Close: "Inspiration Is for Amateurs; The Rest of Us Just Show Up and Get to Work." My artwork has been showcased in galleries across the U.S.