Hometown Mythologies
As we grow older, our memories become a distinct blend of fiction and fact, forming a folklore all our own. What separates the folktales of our individual lives from those of cultural lore, storybooks, or cave paintings? I’d argue they are one and the same. This collection of woodcuts, canvas paintings, and custom frames develops a novel folkloric vocabulary drawn from personal memory and my upbringing in the San Antonio Hill Country. Through this series, I transform recollections, local critters, and family stories into visual myths—blending nostalgia with fantastical imagery to shape an evolving, personal mythology.

I began this body of work at the start of the year, just after turning 30. I turned my family’s dining room into a studio and spent three months developing concepts and creating the pieces. All of the wooden works were made possible through a collaboration with my father, Michael Bueche, a hobbyist woodworker, who helped bring my sketches and visions to life. My mother, Renata Bueche, assisted throughout the process and was my photographer. Creating this work alongside my family became an integral part of its meaning— it brought the concept full circle.