Born in Twickenham, England, in 1935, Bucknall's early interest in art led him at 18 to India and Santiniketan, the Ashram of Rabindranath Tagore, then to Chelsea Art School, London, the University of Texas (BFA), and the University of Washington (MFA). This rolling stone foundation settled into a fixed career as a professional artist that has continued since 1963. He has had gallery affiliations in New York City, Seattle, New Orleans, Taos, Austin, Dallas and Houston.

Besides 16 prizes in national and regional shows, special recognition includes a major NEA fellowship, 1985 – 1986, and inclusion in the Smithsonian' s Archives of American Art (one of 40 artists from this quadrant of the country selected in 1980 for continuing career documentation for possible historical interest.)

He has shown widely and has work in many public and notable private collections. His images have worldwide exposure through music releases of groups like Nirvana and Jesus Lizard, and extravaganzas such as Lollapalooza. In addition, his work has been displayed in more sedate venues such as the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Houston Grand Opera.