URSULA CAIN-JORDAN

About the Artist

Ursula Cain- is a retired social worker. In planning for retirement, a long buried desire to draw was rekindled. Ursula learned to draw and paint in continuing education fine art classes at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, taking her first class in 1996. Ursula also learned in workshops and classes under the instruction of established artists. Ursula first entered juried art exhibitions in 2001. Her work has evolved from watercolors to a mixed media collage style. The mixed media process involves the layering of paper including newspaper, tissue and/or craft papers. Images in acrylics are then, painted on top of the paper. The process becomes spontaneous as Ursula responds to changes in colors due to the underlying layers. The result is a mix of colors and textures that add an abstract quality to the finished work. Over the years, Ursula has participated in many exhibitions and art festivals. From 2004-2006 she was under consignment to the RiverView Gallery in Havre de Grace, Maryland. In 2008, she was juried into the Black History Month, Top of the World, Art Exhibition, in Baltimore Maryland. From 2009-2013, and in 2015 Ursula has been the guest artist for February, Black History Month at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Bel Air, Maryland. Ursula received 3rd place or 2nd place awards in the other media category from 2009 to 2015 at the Bel Air Festival of the Arts. In 2011, several works were selected for the Black Male Identity website and two exhibitions. Ursula is also a member of the Harford Artists' Association. Ursula won Best in Show for "Your Vote, Your Power" at the Pictures at an Exhibition show, Harford Artists Gallery, Bel Air. In 2015, Lift Up Your Hands got Honorary Mention at the same Exhibition.

Artist's Statement

Ursula Cain-'s goal is to capture an essence of life that will touch the viewer in a personal way. Inspiration for her work comes from relationships, social struggles, culture or politics. Her art is figurative and abstract, symbolic and realistic. The movement in Ursula's work is a reflection of the call and response and layering format of African-American gospel music. The mixed media collage, layering of various papers and the painted image on top, create an abstract textured spontaneous quality that best expresses Ursula's passion. Although Ursula has been influenced by the dense complex layered collages of Romare Bearden, her work has evolved into her own. She loves to create art.