Nellie Buel

"El Grito" Texas Modern

Circa 1960s

Nellie V. Buel (nee Upton), was born in 1908. She attended Oregon State University in Corvallis and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Art. After many years as a faculty and Air Force wife and mother, Nellie resumed her full-time interest in art. She studied under many notable artist-teachers, including Harding Black, Harold Roney, Dennis Olson and Kent Rush. Her work has been accepted in local and national juried shows. She has won numerous awards and prizes from art groups, such as the San Antonio Art League and the San Antonio Watercolor Group, among others. Nellie's work is also included in permanent collections at St. Mary's University, the Healy-Murphy Learning Center, McAllen International Museum, the Hal Prince Collection (NY), Tamarind Institute Archives (Albuquerque, NM) and the McNay Art Museum Study Collection. She was born on January 15, 1908, in Portland, Oregon and died on November 15, 2002. Although she was equally talented and proficient in all media, her interests soon specialized in graphics, in particular, hand-pulled, limited editions of etchings, calligraphy, monotype and woodblocks on handmade papers. After she and her husband retired to Boerne, they founded the Cibolo Studio in Comfort, Nellie's Art Studio and Gallery, which she shared with Debbie Little-Wilson. Working in her studio, participating in shows and sharing knowledge, techniques and ideas with other artists, she continued to expand her artistic endeavors and creativity, until very recently. She also gave her time and talent through her teaching and critiquing other artists' works. Sadly, the contents of Cibolo Studio were heavily damaged during the July 2002 floods, causing the closure of the studio, after 30 years at the same location. She is predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Col. (USAF) Jack Buel. She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Todd Hanks, son, John Thomas Buel, three granddaughters, Kathryn Buel, Elizabeth Buel and Natalie Mund (Randy) and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a host of artist friends and colleagues, but most especially by Debbie Little-Wilson, Dripping Springs, her protegee, close friend, companion and fellow printmaker and Sue Hovey.