Kassie Brown

In my artwork, I strive to evoke the fascination and wonder I experienced as a child growing up in West Texas. I have a deep fondness for the region's culture, aesthetics, and natural beauty. This affection was cultivated through the bright memories I have riding horses through cotton fields, accompanying my dad to check oil rigs, and enjoying rodeos and baseball games with friends. 

I believe my love for art began early in life. I developed a passion for clothing through countless imaginative plays with my cousins, where we designed costumes from my grandparents' closet for characters in our fantasy world. 

Watching old westerns and classic films with my grandma and grandpa further shaped my artistic foundations. I was enamored by the attire of the characters and always wondered why people didn’t dress like that anymore. Even deeper, I look back and see how films like “National Velvet,” “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” and “Singin’ in the Rain” epitomize the essence of Gesamkunstwerk, a total work of art.  I have always attempted to pursue this same idea by surrounding myself with things I find beautiful, whether it be interior design, clothing, or music.  

My interest in clothing, specifically, inspired me to create two clothing brands embracing Americana style. Eventually, I sought to expand my artistic horizons by studying painting at Texas State University. 

 I have integrated my love for Texas culture and western style into my paintings. I started with painting vintage cross stitch pieces I found at estate sales and eventually stumbled on to some paper dolls which reminded me of my childhood days. I started collecting them again and have enjoyed “playing” with them, but this time with paint. I select different outfits based on color, style, and what sparks my imagination.  I am reminded of a simpler time when things moved at a slower pace. I like that feeling and want to share it with others.  Most of my painted dolls are sourced from the same era, but I have painted others without the tabs that are solely from my own imagined place and time.  I hope viewers can see themselves within the created worlds these paper dolls inhabit, and that my art brings the beauty and essence of days past into the modern world. I have several ceramic pieces that reflect the same aesthetic of my current paper doll series as well.

Currently, I am working on a large scale portrait of Annie Oakley. This piece also includes a ceramic mochi pot cowgirl boot. Annie Oakley has always been a heroine of mine and I wanted to paint something that reflected true grit and determination. Her story epitomizes the fortitude required to be a woman of her time. She defied convention by pursuing greatness as a marksman, despite prevailing views that women shouldn't shoot or handle guns. This painting is a tribute to all the resilient women who have overcome adversity, heartache, and physical challenges. We are intrepid; we carry on.  

In my creative process, I draw inspiration from artists like NC Wyeth, JC Leyendecker, and Norman Rockwell. Particularly, I find Wayne Thiebaud’s use of shadows, repetition, and color deeply inspiring. Like Thiebaud, I hope my work brings smiles and pleasure to those who view it.

 Norman Rockwell once said, “Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed.” Similarly, I aspire to capture our shared humanity and bridge the gap between past and present, inviting viewers to contemplate the future with renewed hope and wonder. Whether it be my vintage wall paper designs, paper dolls, or portraits of heroic figures I try to make art that is nostalgic, uplifting, and enjoyable to look at. It is my humble aspiration that I can create bright moments for viewers in a world that is too often plagued with hardship and tragedy.