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A Ship in the Harbor is Safe,
But That's Not What Ships are Built For

When Chopstick Drip Painter Peter G. Buchan cashed in his 401k savings more than 10 years ago, it was his way of taking his small art business to the next level, infusing it with the needed cash to pursue his career full-time. The maintenance-man-turned painter began this journey with only the tools of his trade (chopsticks, wood, industrial enamel paint) and a used pick-up truck to haul his paintings. 
 
Though his friends and family told him, "don't quit your day job,"  the artist threw caution to the wind and sailed ahead. His art associates told him that he could make more money if he sold prints, and to that, he responded, "I am not a machine-generated-art-kinda guy," and stuck to his artistic principle of selling only original paintings. 

Flash forward to today, the innovator of the Chopstick Drip method has exponentially grown his business, crisscrossing the country to exhibit at juried art shows where he has sold over 1,000 original gravity-fed paintings. 

The road he traveled was anything but easy. Besides the pandemic, which stalled out his ability to attract new clients, he was also challenged when he relocated from the trendy art scene in Long Beach, California, to the rugged Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. 

The move to Kernville (population 1200) located in the Sequoia National Forest inspired Buchan to create a new genre of paintings, including Sequoia Trees, critters and riverscapes. But as awe-inspiring as the landscape was, the arts scene was all but dead in this remote region.   

"When people visit Kernville, they think of kayaking, fishing and camping. Fine art is off the menu," said Marsinah Ramirez Buchan, his partner and business manager. The move also
created a physical barrier that prevented existing collectors from experiencing his paintings in person, she explained.

To improve accessibility to the art, the copreneurs pivoted to become art-show road warriors. The Buchans now tour across California and neighboring states with what they call their main roadie, Rollo, the black labrador retriever. 



Rollo Slacking Off At Work with the Buchan's During The Golden Colorado Art Festival, August 2021.  

"As a small business owner, you have to do it all when touring," Ramirez Buchan explained. "I am the chief operating schlepper when I am not busy with event coordination, packing, inventory management, publicity/promotion, and travel logistics. There's much freedom in running your own business, and the cost of that freedom is the hustle. Well worth it." 

Artist Buchan says he does not go on the road to sell art. Rather, he considers himself more of a matchmaker. "The universe is filled with art lovers. My job is to unite a painting with its intended buyer, so the paintings can find their rightful homes," the artist said. 


Pete makes a match with art aficionado Dr. Faye and his harvest grape diptych. 
Get 50% Off All Art For A Limited Time.
Use Promo Code: smallbiz

 
We are ever grateful to our clients who chose to be a part of our journey. We hope that you will continue to celebrate the journey with us in our annual 1/2 price sale starting today in celebration of Small Business Saturday. 

 
These paintings are fresh off the chopstick and have not yet been uploaded to our store. They range in size from 8x30 to 10x10. If you are interested, email us at chopstickdrip@buchanart.com and we will get you a price and honor our Small Business Discount. 
Give The Gift of Art
Gift Cards Now Available. Use the Whole Card To Partially Pay for a Piece, or Buy Multiple Gift Cards So Your Friends and Family Can Redeem For What They Want. 
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Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 1183
Kernville, CA 93238 


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BUCHANART · P.O. Box 1183 · Kernville, CA 93238 · USA

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