Ida Buchmann lived in a psychiatric clinic in Switzerland from 1966 until her death.

Her art depicts her dreams and desires and often references love and friendship.

She worked very quickly and frequently used large formats. The materials she employed included acrylics, pastels, markers, ink, and watercolor. Her images, characterized by thick strokes of color, generally feature human or animal figures with pronounced outlines and intense colors, as well as handwritten text.

Ida Buchmann's work is included in the Collection de l’Art Brut, Lausanne; the LaM, Villeneuve d’Ascq; the Foundation for Naïve and Outsider Art, St. Gallen; and in most major collections.