Rich Buckler 1949 – 2017

February 6, 1949 – May 19, 2017

With a relentless mind and an equally relentless imagination that probes and searches for the hidden connections between time, people, and the very stuff of existence, Rich Buckler’s paintings embed a personal narrative which takes a primary ontological view of life through a surrealist lens.
Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, Rich loved comics and invested much of his time studying the style and drawing them, eventually publishing his own independent comics. Before long and self-taught, he’d make his way to New York in 1972 and gain work from both comic giants Marvel and DC through recommendation of comic book legend, Jack Kirby.

By 1974 Rich was leading on many of Marvels top stories writing and designing covers for comics such  a Annihilus, Darkoth, Doctor Doom, The Fantastic Four…

Through the late 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, Rich’s comic book career would flourish and go on to co-create.

The All-Star Squadron for DC and Deathlock for Marvel while being in high demand, drawing many of his childhood favorites, including Batman, Captain America, Spiderman. By 2000, Rich would put down his pencil for the brush and start his career as a fine art painter. With influence from his favorite artist Salvador Dali, Rich would go on to create his own style that he referred to as Hermetic Surrealism.  The name refers to Alchemy and the ancient wisdom found in manuscripts “Hermes Trismegistus”, “Hermetic”.

Rich’s painting career would begin in New York at the New York International Art Expo in 2000 and would later go on to be exhibited at the Agora Gallery and Art Forum, also in New York.  While having residency at the Amsterdam Whitney International Fine Art Gallery, in New York, Rich would go East and create a solo exhibition in Paris, called Rich Buckler, American Surrealist”
Rich’s technical mastery and tantalizing brushwork metamorphosize the invisible into being. With a mystical eye for imagination, he creates symbolic, dream-like compositions that results in archetypal images that belie the picture’s two-dimensional surface and defy rational thought.

 

©2025 DeBogat Fine Art Gallery

5 Lambert Lane,
Lambertville, NJ 08530

Contact: Ildico Karvalis

Phone: 609-397-5855
Email: i@DeBogat.com

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   609-397-5855