Ursula invites viewers into a world where the mundane and the curious coexist in harmony. As a painter and illustrator, she is driven by narrative, creating a space where surreal and unexpected scenes come to life.

Based at the foot of the North Pennines, Ursula finds that her imagination flourishes within the stillness of the fells. She sketches ideas while out walking, then returns to her studio to translate them into detailed acrylic paintings.

She is particularly inspired by folklore and strives to create imagery that gives its misunderstood characters a voice. By continuing these narratives in unexpected directions, her work balances on the thin line between childhood nostalgia and adult irony. Drawing inspiration from the art of Michael Sowa, Toni Hamel, and Gerhard Glück, Ursula explores the quiet wit of surrealism. She aims to evoke a sense of wonder and humour, encouraging viewers to pause, look closely, and perhaps find a bit of themselves in the strange, silent stories hanging on the wall.

More recently, she’s begun working in acrylics, developing a body of work that draws inspiration from fairy tales and folklore. These paintings blend narrative with nostalgia, reimagining familiar stories and using costumes from local museums. This shift has allowed Ursula to explore a deeper visual language while still maintaining the storytelling thread that has always been at the heart of her creative practice.

CONTACT URSULA

Email: ursula.hurst@icloud.com

Website: ursulahurst.co.uk