Kayann Ausherman is a self taught mixed media artist from Haven, a small town near Wichita. She has always had a creative take on life even though her art career didn’t start until her children were grown. She grew up in rural Kansas with parents who were scientists. A degree in anthropology was followed by working for a free lance graphic designer, and then laying out computer schematics, first as a draftsman and then as a cad operator. A large family of adopted and biological children kept her busy for the next couple of decades until she returned to her childhood love of art in 2013. This lifetime of experiences and influences now finds its way into her current art. Rather than focus on realistic replication of her subject matter, she prefers a more whimsical representation. She feels the creative process is about experimentation and exploration of new ways to express the familiar, hopefully evoking an emotional connection. She often uses repurposed and unusual materials in her artwork like wrappers, envelopes, postage stamps, and “found” papers.
About
I often look to the natural world for the inspiration of my pieces. Animals, landscapes, and plant life are the most common themes, though sometimes in conjunction with the human figure or manmade landscapes. Through representational abstract, I like to focus on both the process and idea of exploration of the world around me while using manmade papers, mediums, and patterns as the interface between the art I make and the world it represents.
A combination of collage and acrylic paints and inks are the mediums of my choice in capturing the emotion of a scene rather than focusing much attention on realism. I use a lot of magazine pages altered with a citrus based organic cleaner which alters the ink. The resulting paper is so much different than the original that it seems a bit magical and mysterious, like an alchemy that turns the discarded into a lovely treasure. The meaningfulness of using found papers and materials as the mark of mankind in interaction with the organic world in a lighthearted, whimsical, and intriguing way appeals to me. Techniques that I find mentally challenging or engaging, like layers of painting negative spaces, or bits of intricate pen work, are often irresistible to me as I move a piece to completion.
The desired reaction from my audience is fascination, and the need to take a second look. Always offering more than meets the eye serves as a compelling invitation to look again. I like to include surprises in my art to reward those who take the time to give it a closer examination. It may be images or materials that add meaning or a surprise twist to the art. The mere choice of a stamp, a word, a pattern, or an image can add a different dimension to the piece. Or there might be some stitching, or other surprise technique included in the piece.
A second reaction that I seek for the viewer is a sense of joy. The goal for the work is to be more of a celebration accessible to many, an interaction that leaves others with a smile on their face. I want the connection they hopefully feel with a piece to be one of happiness.
Earthy colors appear again and again, though I also love to incorporate some surprise and playfulness through color from time to time. My mainstay color palette is browns, golds, and blues...colors that are calm and soothing, yet can achieve an intensity when need be.
The common thread of my current collection can be found in colors, interest in detail, and the materials used, as well as a somewhat whimsical and playful style.