We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andy Buchanan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Andy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve been creating artwork since as far back as I can remember. From drawing pictures to go on the family fridge, to after elementary school sculpture classes, to high school art groups and college painting and drawing courses, to finally leading into my professional art career, I love leaning into the creative abilities I’ve honed over the years. While I have worked many other “non-creative” jobs throughout my life, I always felt like it made the most sense and brought me the most happiness being able to do work that utilized my artistic talents.
Andy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a 42 year old fine artist and muralist residing in Mckinney, TX. I first had the opportunity to branch into the art world professionally when I was 23, finding work with a business that was aligned more with the commercial art world. They had me painting murals, doing faux finishes, and even sculpting foam and concrete to create really cool environments and props for museums, restaurants, businesses, and even some private homes. I worked with them for about 6 years or so before I set out on my own for a short stint. Unfortunately, I had a lot to learn about self-marketing back then and with the economy tanking at the time, I had to put the creative endeavors on the back-burner for a while to make ends meet. I knew I would eventually get back to it, but sometimes life throws you curveballs and my re-entry to the “full-time” art world was delayed longer than I had hoped. Finally, I started Andy Buchanan Art, my sole proprietorship, in 2022, and have been painting and running the business ever since. Currently most of my sales are from word of mouth and website sales. At this time I sell original oil paintings, signed giclée art prints, and even some artistic photography prints. Some of my paintings, especially my murals, are commission-based, which gives me a chance to create something truly special for my customers. I really enjoy talking to my clients to get an idea or basic direction of what they are looking for, and getting to flex my imagination and create a pieces that not only impress them, but also potentially cause emotional responses. Knowing that I can create something a person or business admires so much that they buy it to put in their home or office is a wonderful feeling. I definitely look forward to what creations I come up with in the future. Most of my personal work lately has been a mix of realism landscapes, some surrealism, some abstracts and a few still life pieces, but having a background where I’ve had to produce art in many different styles has come in handy, and allowed me to not stay limited on what I can potentially create. The more people that can enjoy my work the better.
My online gallery/art shop is https://andybuchanan.art so, please feel free check it out. There are several paintings and prints currently for sale and I will keep adding more as fast as I’m able. If you are interested in something more custom, I’d love to work with you to create something original and add to the wow factor in your home or business.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I think my goal or mission is about the same as most fine artists. I want to consistently sell enough of my work to avoid ever needing a “real job” ever again. That and knowing that I’ve manifested my vision of being a successful, full-time artist would be a dream come true. I want my work to reach as many homes, businesses, galleries, museums, eyes, and hearts as possible while I’m on this Earth.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Don’t be afraid to buy that painting, or drawing, or sculpture you love. If that’s not currently an option, buy a print of it. It’ll make your house or business that much more interesting. Buy several, or at least spread the word about the artist. Be proud of that purchase. Be proud of that artist you admire. Be inspired by the work you love. Brag about their work to your friends and family. Share the artist’s work on your social media pages. Be a super fan. Comment on their social media page and definitely let the world and the artist know how much our work means to you. You are making a dream come true. That’s beautiful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andybuchanan.art
- Instagram: @andybuchanan.art
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/andy-buchanan-51964a18
- Other: https://www.alignable.com/mckinney-tx/andy-buchanan-art