Eric BuechelArtistIllustrator

I grew up in what was, at the time, a rural northern neighborhood in the state of New Jersey, just west of Manhattan. I first acquired my skills from my father, Ernest J. Buechel Sr., who was a talented artist and master ship-modeler born in Koblenz, Germany. After spending much of my early youth studying the works of the masters and working diligently on my craft, I won a scholarship in 1977 from the New Jersey Art Directors Club and went on to attend DuCret School of Art in Plainfield, NJ.

NULLA DIES SINE LINEA Not a day without a line

​​​During this time I took countless trips to some of the worlds most renowned museums in New York City with pencil and sketch book in hand. Perhaps the most important thing to happen in my early career was meeting Dr. Furman J. Finck, the Dean of DuCret and an official presidential portrait painter and author. Under Fincks tutelage and studying Dr. Fincks work at his Manhattan studio, I learned a technique using a Wolffs carbon pencil to draw incredibly detailed portraits.

After my studies in New Jersey and NYC I attended Broward College in South Florida and earned a degree in fine art. Soon I was on the way back to New Jersey and Manhattan to start my career as an illustrator and later an art director.

In 1991 my path yet changed again. I began experimenting with metals in the electronics field, specifically cathode ray tubes, circuit boards and base metals. On April 14th, 1993 my part-time

In 1991 my path yet changed again. I began experimenting with metals in the electronics field, specifically cathode ray tubes, circuit boards and base metals. On April 14th, 1993 my part-time experimental efforts became the feature story on the front page of the New York Times as a pioneer in the field of electronic recycling, later coined e-waste. Later United States Senator Lautenburg would nominate me The New Jersey Pride Award In Science and Technology for my environmental process in the recovery of lead from the glass of a cathode ray tube.

My hobby would later grow and my company Advanced Recovery was hired to help clean up the Trade Center after the 911 attack. In 2002 I sold the company, moved to Tennessee, and opened an art supply store complete with gallery, cafe and art restoration studio. Nothing could be better and life was good. Then I started to slow down, needing long rests during the day. I finally went to the doctor and received news no one likes to hear - 4th stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A three year battle with cancer and a survival story follows with yet another medium for my artwork arsenal - the camera. During my entire battle there were few days I did not think of my art. I love this quote by Chuck Close Inspiration is for amateurs - the rest of us just show up and go to work.

My work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the United States and London.

“There is nothing permanent except change. If we dont change, we dont grow. If we dont grow, we wither and fade away”.

Eric Buechel
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