Ballad of the Gorton’s Fisherman by Mike Ousley

Mike Ousely Kentucky

Mike Ousley is a native of the coalfields of Southeastern Kentucky and draws inspiration from the region’s storytelling traditions. Ousley’s work has been exhibited widely and published. Mike has been featured twice in Artmaze Magazine’s international publication and his work was recently included in New American Paintings.

Mike Ousley’s whimsical, otherworldly paintings are inspired by his childhood in the Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern Kentucky. His work incorporates elements of myth, fairy tale, local lore, and Appalachian life and traditions.

Ousley describes his work with, “I decided I wanted to take my painting back to the way I created images as a child, inspired by the visionary art of Kentucky and other Southern Folk artists… The storytelling traditions of Appalachia are a powerful influence.”