Mike Ousley’s paintings are tight vignettes that explore memories, odd anecdotes and old tales from Appalachia, directly commenting on the region’s traditions. Drawing influence from visionary artists and childhood tales he heard while growing up in Southeastern Kentucky, the artist often sets aside his training in Western European traditions for a folk-influenced style he developed in his youth. The simplicity and strangeness of the artist’s work belie their depth; they represent a broader struggle of the Appalachian peoples to secure their collective identity via a rich heritage of storytelling.