Charlotte made a number of major commissions in knitted wool laminated to canvas. She continued exploring all-over color-field patterns in series of works in which she incorporated Indian printed fabrics on top of which she added all over pattern fields of recurrent elements.
She then began creating all-over painted canvases entirely with multiple layers of acrylic paint. Next she launched into an exhaustive series of exciting studies of floral forms.
Charlotte Cain (1942–2015) was an American artist celebrated for her intricate gouache paintings on paper and silk, deeply influenced by traditional Indian miniature techniques. Born in the United States, Cain pursued a Bachelor of Science in Painting and Education from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1963. Her artistic journey led her to study under master miniaturists Bannu Sharma in Jaipur and Vijay Sharma in Chamba, India, between 1996 and 1997. Cain’s work is characterized by meticulous attention to detail and a profound appreciation for line and form. She often emphasized the importance of feeling the line, likening it to a dance, and drew inspiration from abstract expressionists. Her later works, such as the “Kautilya” series, showcase her skillful use of mineral pigments and gouache on antique paper, reflecting her deep engagement with Indian artistic traditions. Throughout her career, Cain exhibited her work both nationally and internationally. Notably, in 2007, the Des Moines Art Center hosted a solo exhibition of her work as part of their Iowa Artists series. Additionally, the ICON Gallery in Fairfield, Iowa, honored her legacy with a retrospective exhibition in 2016, highlighting her significant contributions to the art community. Cain was part of a remarkable artist family. She married Michael Peter Cain, himself an accomplished artist, and together they continued the artistic legacy established by Michael’s parents, Joseph Lambert Cain and Matene Rachoetes Cain. This lineage is being preserved and celebrated an aim to bring greater recognition to the family’s collective body of work. Charlotte Cain’s dedication to her craft and her ability to blend traditional techniques with contemporary sensibilities have left an indelible mark on the art world. Her works continue to inspire and captivate audiences, reflecting a harmonious fusion of cultural influences and artistic expression.