Mixed Media Portrait of a 92 Year Old Woman

3

2

My newest mixed media artwork is a portrait of my mother, Josephine Caltagirone Buechel. This piece incorporates watercolor, gouache, oil paint, ink, wax, and titanium dioxide on paper, measuring 21.5 x 26.5". It features wisdom lines!

May 2025

This painting was created in 2017 when my mother was "only" 92 years old, a remarkable age that many aspire to reach but few do with such grace. Now, she is over 100 years old, and despite the passage of time, she remains in excellent health, demonstrating an impressive vitality that defies her age. Her spirit is as lively as ever, and she continues to be quite the talker, engaging everyone around her with her stories and insights. I spent four wonderful days with her this past May, and during that time, I found myself wishing I could have stayed a bit longer to soak in her presence and wisdom. Being away from the property during this season is particularly challenging, especially with the work that needs to be done in our greenhouse, where the plants are beginning to awaken from their winter slumber. There is also the pressing need to clean up the fields and paths after a long, cold winter, which can be quite labor-intensive. However, I find solace in knowing that she is well cared for by a network of loving family and friends who surround her with support and companionship. While she might not be as physically active as she once was, her mental agility and enthusiasm for conversation remain intact. She is always ready to chat, sharing her thoughts and experiences, which brings joy not only to her but also to those fortunate enough to engage with her. After each phone call, she always concludes our conversations with a warm and heartfelt, "You made my day, that was a nice talk, let's do it again soon." This simple yet profound expression encapsulates her positive outlook on life and her ability to uplift those around her. That’s my mom—always radiating positivity and pleasantness, a beacon of light in our lives. I feel like the most blessed man in the world to have her as my mother. She has been a constant source of encouragement, inspiring me to pursue my passion for art from the very beginning of my journey. Her unwavering belief in my abilities has fueled my creativity and motivated me to explore the depths of my artistic expression. The lessons I’ve learned from her about resilience, joy, and the importance of connection continue to shape not only my life but also my work as an artist.

A Century of Love

By Eric Buechel

In a garden where memories bloom, A mother stands, dispelling all gloom.

One hundred years, a tapestry spun, Of laughter and tears, of battles won.

Her hands, like weathered pages, tell, Of stories lived, where love did dwell. Each wrinkle

a chapter, each scar a line, A testament to a life so divine.

In her heart, a universe vast, Echoes of joy from the shadows cast. With every heartbeat,

wisdom flows, In the warmth of her smile, the whole world knows.

From cradles rocked to dreams pursued, She’s nurtured souls, her love imbued. A legacy

of kindness, a gentle embrace, In her presence, we find our place.

So here we gather, both near and far, To honor the light, our guiding star. A hundred candles,

a wish in the air, For the mother we cherish, beyond compare.

To a hundred years, we raise our cheer, For the love of a mother, forever dear. May her days

be bright, her spirit soar, In the heart of her family, she’s cherished more.

Eric Buechel Fine Art

P.O. Box 277

Pleasant Hill Tennessee 38578

(931) 881-7806

www.ericbuechel.net

Home