As an artist I am compelled to develop artwork based on color, composition, creativity, and contrast. I strive for technical excellence while allowing myself freedom of expression. My work is an extension of myself and expresses my thoughts, feelings, and vision as an artist.
Awards
2023
Waite High School Distinguished Alumni Award for Art and Community Service
Best In Show 16th Annual Northwest Ohio Community Exhibition, Bowling Green State University Fine Art Center, Bowling Green, Ohio
First Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Swanton, Ohio
2022
Best of Show, First Place & Second Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Swanton, Ohio
Finalist, Martha’s Vineyard Drawing Competition, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Honorable Mention, 100 + 5 Exhibition, University of Toledo Center for the Visual Arts, Toledo, Ohio
2021
Best of Show and First Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Swanton, Ohio
Finalist, Martha’s Vineyard Drawing Competition, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
2019
Finalists, Inaugural Martha’s Vineyard Drawing Competition, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Third Place, Findlay Art League Fall Exhibition, Findlay, OH
2018
First Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Country Club, Swanton, OH
2017
Second Place and Honorable Mention, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Country Club, Swanton, OH
2016
First Place and People's Choice Award, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Gold Culb, Swanton, OH
2015
First Place Works on Paper, 71st Ohio Annual Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, OH
People's Choice & Second Place, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Swanton, OH
2011
Molly Morepeth Canaday Award for Painting, 93rd Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
2010
Leonardo da Vinci Award, Salon de Refuse, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, OH
2009
Second Place, A Different Perspective, Findlay Art League, Findlay, OH
Picasso Award & Honorable Mention, Prizm Member's Show, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2005
Third Award, 87th Toledo Area Artists Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
2005
Award of Merit & Hancock youth Leadership Award, 29th Annual Jurried Show, Findlay Art League, Findlay, OH
Purchase Award, 86th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
2003
Best of Show, Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, OH
2002
Second Place, Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, OH
Award of Merit, The Healing Power of Art National Exhibition, Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY
Award for Outstanding Work, Skokie 40th Annual Art Festival, Skokie, Il
Second Place, Salon de Refuse, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, OH
publications
BG Independent News, Bowing Green, Ohio July 15, 2023
Featured Artist, American Frame, www.americanframe.com
Toledo Federation of Art Societies, 100 + 5 Exhibition Brochure, June 2022
The Blade Sunday June 26, 2022, On the Town with Barbara Hendel
Toledo Museum of Art’s digital Winter 2021-2022 Catalog
Toledo Museum of Art, arTMAtters, Winter/Spring 2021
Rough Draft Diaries podcast WGTE with Haley Taylor, 2021
Toledo Blade, Thursday November 3, 2016, Around Town
Toledo Balde, August 28, 2011
Toledo Museum of Art, Artmatters, September-December 2011
Toledo Museum of Art, Artmatters, January-April 2011
Toledo Museum of Art, Late 2011 Exhibition Brochure
93rd Toledo Area Artists 2011 Exhibition Catalog
The City Paper, November 10, 2010
The Perrysburg Journal, June 2010
Toledo Blade, Janurary 28, 2005
The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, May 2005
The City Paper, September 6-12 2001: Matthew Weiderhold, “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 Margater Bourke-White. Her creativity seems to ooze from her body.”
The Weekly, 3-30-00: Rebecca Golden, “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 Toledo Blade, 8-17-00: Rebekah Scott, “Soft textural decorative handmade paper creations. They are neat, beaded and threaded, shadow-boxed and utterly professional.”
20 North Gallery 2000: Peggy Grant, Art Director, “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.”
gallery representation
Toledo Museum of Art, Collector's Corner, Toledo, Ohio 419-255-8000
exhibitions
2024
Ohio Registry 2024 Juried Exhibition
Allied Artist of America 111th Annual online Exhibition
2023
19th Annual Bryn Du Art Show, Bryn Du Mansion, Granville, Ohio
77th Annual Ohio Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
16th Annual Northwest Ohio Community Art Show, Bowling Green State University, BG, OH
Allied Artist of America 110th Annual online Exhibition
Swanton Fine Art Competition, Valleywood Gold Club, Swanton, Ohio
2022
Martha’s Vineyard Drawing Competition, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Zanesville 76th Annual Ohio Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
TFAS 100 + 5 Exhibition, University of Toledo’s CVA gallery, Toledo, Ohio
Time Will Tell Exhibition, Coburn Gallery Ashland University, Ashland Ohio
Swanton Fine Art Competition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, Ohio
Chasing Ghosts VII, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, OR,
2021
Martha’s Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
Swanton Fine Art Competition, Swanton, Ohio
2020
TFAS 100 + 3 Exhibition, Twenty North Gallery, Toledo, Ohio
75th Annual Ohio Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, Ohio
A Touch of Color, Pastel Exhibition, Fuller Art House, Sylvania, Ohio
2019
Inaugural Martha’s Vineyard Drawing Prize Competition, Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
38th Annual Michigan Fine Art Competition and Exhibition, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Birmingham, MI
Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, OH
12th Annual NowOh Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, BG, OH
Findlay art League’s open Fall Exhibition, Findlay, OH
2018
Swanton fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, OH
Fuller Art House Invitational, Sylvania, OH
Findlay art League’s open Fall Exhibition, Findlay, Ohio2016, Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Gold Club, Swanton, OH
The Artist Kitchen Invitational Exhibition, Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, OH
7th Annual NOWOH Show, Dorthy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, bowling Green, OH
2017
The Chautauqua National Juried Exhibition, Order & Chaos, Richmond, KY
Prizm Art-a-Fair Invitational Exhibition, One SeaGate, Toledo, OH
Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, OH
2016
Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, OH
The Artist Kitchen Invitational Exhibition, Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, OH
7th Annual NOWOH Show, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, B. G., OH
2015
93rd Annual All-Media Exhibition, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, MI
Swanton Fine Art Exhibition, Valleywood Golf Club, Swanton, OH
2015 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, Cox Fine Art Center, Columbus, OH
71st Ohio Annual Exhibition, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, OH
People on Paper Show, Community Gallery, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
2014
7th Annual NOWOH Show, The Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2012
Now Wow Project National/International Exhibition, Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, OH
5th Annual NOWOH Show, The Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2011
93rd Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo OH
Prizm Creative Community Show, Community Gallery, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
2010
Salon de Refuse, Parkwood Gallery, The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, OH
2009
2nd Annual NOWOH Show, The Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
A Different Perspective, Findlay Art League, Findlay , OH
Member's Exhibition, Prizm Creative Community, The Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Fine Art Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2008
Spring Exhibition, Lima Art Space, Lima, OH
90th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
2007
Garden Exhibit, Parkwood Gallery, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, OH
Faculty Exhibition, Walter E, Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Toledo, OH
Faces Exhibition, Walter E, Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Toledo, OH
2006
Faculty Exhibition, Walter E, Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Toledo, OH
2005
29th Annual Juried Show, Findlay Art League, Findlay, OH
Art on the Mall, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
2004
Faculty Exhibition, Walter E, Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, Toledo, OH
86th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
5 X 7 Group Show, Eberly Center, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
2003
85th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
16th Annual Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Seagate Center, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, OH
The Black Swamp Arts Festival, Bowling Green, OH
2002
Great Lakes Pastel Society Regional Exhibition, Birmingham, MI
15th Annual Roots of Diversity Multicultural Exhibition, Seagate Center, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Toledo, OH
The Healing Power of Art National Exhibition, Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY
Solo Show, The Franciscan Center, Lourdes University, Sylvania, OH
The Salon de Refuse Show, 20 North Gallery, Toledo, OH
2001
Solo Show, SeaGate Gallery, Toledo, OH
The Nude 2001 National/International Exhibition, Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY
2nd Annual Photography Exhibition, Turning Point Gallery, Washington D.C.
83th Toledo Area Artist Exhibition, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
2000
Harrisburg 72nd Annual National/International Exhibition, Harrisburg, PA
Solo Show, The Franciscan Center, Lourdes University, Sylvania, OH
Midwestern Museum of Art, Elkhart, IN
education
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, Masters in Education, Curriculum/Teaching
Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio, BFA, Illustration/Advertising
Louisiana Tech University, Ruston Louisianan, European Study Program, Italy, Greece, France
COLLABORATION Projects
2023
Bowling Green State University Alumni Center, working in collaboration Gail Christfferson, my design was selected to be installed as a 10 x 6 foot glass mosaic mural
Bowling Green Senior Center, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was installed as a glass mosiac
Facebook Data Center, New Albany Ohio
Sylvania Bridge Project, Sylvania, Ohio
2022
Bright View Senior Living, Virginia, Working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist Gail
Christofferson, my concept and design was selected to be installed as a glass mosaic mural
Facebook Data Center, New Albany, Ohio, Working in collaboration with glass artist Gail Christofferson, my concept and design was selected and implemented by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson
Franklin Park Mall, Working in collaboration with glass artist Gai Christofferson and designer Craig Hamilton, my concept weas implemented by Gail Christofferrson as a hanging sculpture
2021
Detroit Institute of Art, for the Macomb Library my design was selected and implemented by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson
New Mexico, Albuquerque Government Offices, My design concept was selected and implemented as a mural by glass mosiac artist Gail Christofferson
Our House, Ypsilanti, Michigan, my design was selected and implemented by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson as a 5 x 12 foot mural
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 Prinville, OR. working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was selected and installed as a mural 14 x 8 feet.
Mentor Library Mentor, OH my design was selected and implemented by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson
Facebook Data Center, New Albany OH, 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, OH, working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was selected and installed as a mural 6 x 14 feet.
First Federal Bank, Sylvania, OH, working in collaboration with glass mosaic artist, Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a glass mosaic window treatment
First Presbyterian Church in Maumee, OH, 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
Abe’s Garden Alzheimer Facility, Nashville TN, my design was selected and installed by glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson as a 3 X 5 foot mural.
Maumee Valley Hospital South, Dayton, OH, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, and the Dayton Arts Commission, my design was selected and installed as a glass mosaic mural of four panels, 10 x 6 foot each totaling 10 X 24 feet
2017
Southeast Branch Library, Dayton, OH, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a mural 10 X 15 feet
Kroger’s Grocery, Waterville, OH, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a mural 10 X 19 feet
Washtenaw and Monroe County Youth Centers, YAAW, Ann Arbor & Monroe MI, my designs for Obelisk sculptures, collaborating with glass mosaic artist Gail Christofferson were selected, constructed and installed for the youth centers
2016
Perrysburg Cancer Center, Perrysburg, OH, 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, OH, collaborating with glass artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and implemented as a 5 X 10 foot glass mosaic mural.
Dayton Public Library, Kettering Branch, Kettering, OH collaborating with glass artist Gail Christofferson, my design was commissioned and installed as a glass mosaic mural, 6 x 9 feet