Bloomfield Richwood Art Gallery is excited to present Michael Ousley‘s “Appalachian Anthem” from April 21-May 29th. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, April 21. Bloomfield Richwood is located at the edge of the Monongahela Forest in West Virginia and specializes in contemporary and modern art and objects.

“My father was a coal miner and many of my uncles and cousins worked in mining or farming”

– Michael Ousley

Micheal Ousley is a native of Appalachia, originally from the coalfields of Southeastern Kentucky. Having traveled all around the Western coal towns of Virginia, West Virginia and the Blue Ridge as well, he has formed a deep connection to the mountains.

Ousley tends to view his paintings as ballads for the rough living and hardscrabble existence found in the Central Appalachian Coal region.

“The Media has always jumped at the opportunity to show poverty and decay in the coalfields of Kentucky” He says he views his work as being built around a pathos and understanding of the downtrodden and discarded; a poetry for the underdog.

“I believe when Dan Rather came here with 48 Hours it was because they needed these Mountains. Some people need to look at Appalachia to remind themselves of what they are not or do not possess. It is in these hills where you can find toughness and resourcefulness, roots and pride that run deep. Honesty and authenticity” says Ousley.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to present Mike Ousley’s work in our gallery. His paintings are like poetry. He has a unique way of portraying Appalachian life with fondness, humor, veneration, candor, and abiding love. His approach is unapologetic, honest, and relatable.” – Bloomfield Richwood Art Gallery

Ousley often arranges his figures in his pictures as though they were in a play or group portrait, and, no matter what they are doing, or how embarrassing the situation happens to be, they seek our gaze, dignified and, for all the world, unconcerned. This is prevalent even when they are involved in complicated struggles in life; because they seem to be aware of being observed, yet do not mind. They experience life as an insoluble conglomerate of sadness, joy, light and darkness. Humour is continually present, despite having a very dark edge.’ 

“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.”

“My biggest inspiration is the visionary and Folk art of Kentucky and other Southern Folk artists.”

– Michael Ousley

“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.” 

Bloomfield Richwood is located at 17 E Main St, Richwood, WV 26261. For more information, call the gallery at 561-703-4877. Learn more about the artist at mikeousleyfineart.com