Biography
Mike Ousley (American, b. 1976) paints a direct commentary on Appalachian life and folk traditions, though their simplicity belies their depth. Ousley has painted since childhood, and though trained (MFA, University of Cincinnati), he foils Western European traditions with the folk style of his youth. Having grown up in a small coal town in Southeastern Kentucky listening to stories told by friends and family, he credits the visionary artists and rich heritage of the region as his primary influence. Recent exhibitions include Nine Lives at Fortnight Institute, NY; From These Hills at the William King Museum of Art, VA, curated by Michael Rooks; and, Something on the Wind at Morehead State University, Morehead, KY. His work was featured in ArtMaze Magazine Issue 22, selected by Fabiola Alondra and Jane Harmon. Ousley has been a resident at the Huntington Museum of Art, studying with Alfred Leslie; Arc of Appalachia; and, North Mountain. His work can be found in numerous private collections, as well as the public collections of Ashland Community College, Highlands Regional Medical Center, Morehead State University, and Ohio State University.
Artist Statement
“I decided I wanted to take my painting back to the way I created images as a child, based on memory and simplified. My biggest inspiration is the visionary and Folk art of Kentucky and other Southern Folk artists. I spent a good deal of time in the Kentucky Folk Art Center and face to face time meeting many of the artists I admired. I wanted to produce images purely from my memories without the aid of tangible references. I wanted the incompleteness of memory and how it can be sensationalized or blended with fantasy. The storytelling traditions of Appalachia are a powerful influence. Sometimes when family would come in, as many as 15 might gather in a room and tell stories and drink coffee. I can’t say all painting should tell a story but for me it’s essential to the practice."