Artist's Statement

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, and whom with she did a fair bit of traveling. A degree in anthropology was followed by working for a free lance graphic designer. Her next occupations was 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 diverse 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, and intriguing 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.

Kayann has illustrated two children’s books, and her work has been published in over 25 national mixed media magazines including Somerset Studio, Cloth Paper Scissors, and more. Since 2013 she has taught numerous workshops on varied topics as Citra Solv, art journaling, collage, and many other mixed media related topics both in Kansas and elsewhere.  Citra Solv sponsored art contests have awarded recognition a number of times, and she is one of the Citra Artists listed on their website. She and her husband spend summers traveling to art fairs. 

When not making art, Kayann enjoys time with her husband and ever growing family.  They enjoy camping in the mountains of Colorado, and are currently busy building a studio and tiny home to downsize into.