Nancy Jean Overbury

NANCY JEAN OVERBURY

Rooted in Quebec's Laurentian Mountains, Nancy Jean Overbury transforms childhood landscapes into deeply textured works that blur the line between painting and sculpture. Using palette knives to oversized trowels, she builds sculptural layers of acrylic that make light dance across richly textured surfaces, creating trees that serve as living witnesses to our shared humanity.

Since returning to fine art in 2016, her paintings—including the current series "How Trees Dream"—have found homes in collections across North America and Europe. Working from her Laurentian studio, Nancy creates what visitors describe as emotional encounters: quiet spaces where art meets memory and the soul can feel seen.

Work

Biography

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a powerful need to create. That urge was first validated when I won a local youth art contest, an experience that set me on a lifelong path to explore how art can speak to the human spirit. My work is rooted in a desire to evoke emotion and connection, offering not just an image, but a moment of recognition, reflection, or memory.

I grew up immersed in the wild beauty of Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains. The forests, lakes, and skies of my childhood continue to shape my art to this day. Trees, in particular, are central to my work—not as static forms, but as living witnesses to the emotional landscapes of our lives. Some stand tall and vibrant, others twist with quiet endurance, but each one serves as a mirror to our shared humanity.

My formal studies began at Concordia University from 1990 to 1993. There, under the guidance of Professor Cheryl Dudek, I learned to take full responsibility for every part of my work, including the sides of the canvas, which I now extend beyond the edge, softening the frame and drawing the viewer further in. In 1992, I studied at the École des Beaux-Arts Supérieur in Nîmes, France. It was there that I began to understand the powerful role of light, not just as an element of design, but as an emotional force that could alter mood, movement, and meaning. That experience deeply changed how I see and interpret the sky.

After working professionally as a designer since 1995, I returned fully to fine art in 2016. Today, I work primarily in acrylic on wood panels, chosen for their strength and ability to support the high-relief texture of my technique. I begin with thin glazes, then build up sculptural layers using gel mediums and tools ranging from palette knives to oversized trowels. This method creates a deeply textured surface: part painting, part sculpture, where light interacts with form in surprising and tactile ways.

My paintings often emerge as part of a larger theme. Current works are part of the series How Trees Dream, following earlier series such as Forest Portraits and Dances of Flowers. Each one is a continuation of my ongoing dialogue with nature and the human condition. I aim to create a space where viewers can not only observe the image but feel something deeply, whether it’s a rush of memory, a flicker of longing, or a sense of peace.

I live and work once again in the Laurentians. The shifting seasons outside my studio continue to influence my palette and composition, bringing new life and new challenges with each piece. My work has found homes in private collections across North America and Europe, and I’ve had the privilege of sharing it through numerous exhibitions.

Visitors often tell me that my paintings awaken something familiar: joyous, tender, sometimes bittersweet. It is this emotional connection that I strive to offer: a quiet space where art meets memory, and where the soul can feel seen.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to explore new venues across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Each painting is part of a larger story, one that I hope will continue to grow in depth and resonance. My goal is simple: to create art that speaks quietly and clearly to the heart.

Awards & Recognitions

Memberships & Affiliations

- Society of Canadian Artists, Elected Member 2020 to present
- Lakeshore Association of Artists, Beaconsfield, juried membership - 2014 to present
- CAPRAC, Ontario 2023 - present

Professional Development

- B.F.A. Concordia University, Fine Arts, specializing in Painting, Printmaking 1993
- Special Studies in École Superieur des Beaux Arts, Nîmes, France – Painting 1992
- Special Studies Art History - Florence, Italy 1990
- D.E.C John Abbott College - Fine Arts 1988-1990
- Watercolour Techniques - Tony Price 1984-1985

Publications and other Accomplishments

- 2025, April The Canadian Press – interview with C. Szklarski: Art + Tariffs in Canadian art
- 2021 episode of TV movie Sweet as Maple Syrup as local art gallery & store Maple Ridge Arts & Craft Supply
- 2019 November – Montreal Gazette featured in article: Collective Workspace Create Community in Pointe-Claire Village
- 2019 July - Featured in a televised episode of Sucre-Sale at Café Lali
- 2018 Sept – Radio interview The Jewel
- 2016 August Pointe-Claire News – featured artist for LAA Stewart Hall Exhibition
- 2013 Award: Show Favourite – Beaconsfield Fall Exhibition
- 2009 - Chamber of Commerce Awards Finalist for Eco-Sustainable Production and Design
- 2005 – Montreal Mag article– Summer Trends in Red

Contributions to the artistic community

- Society of Canadian Artists – Vice President and Director of Exhibitions 2020-present
- Comité d’art public Ville de Pointe-Claire – 2022
- Lakeshore Association of Artists President (2018-2020), Vice President (2016-2018) and Fall Exhibition Coordinator (2018-2021).
- Watercolour Teacher with the City of Dorval, Dorval Artist’s Association.
- Owner and teacher at Atelier Overbury – teaching painting, drawing, sculpture and specialized workshops to groups of beginners through advanced students, juniors and adult. (2014-2020)
- Volunteer organizer for the Dorval Commerce Association for the citywide 2019 Art Project for Dorval's businesses, children and artists.

RECENT EXIBITS

Galleries

- Carré des Artistes Art Gallery Isabelle Charbonneau, Montreal, QC
- Gallery Overbury, Hudson, QC

Lakeshore Association of Artists, juried membership

- Spring Exhibition: Fritz Farm 2014-2025
- Fall Exhibition: Stewart Hall 2014-2025

Solo Exhibitions

- Pop Up Artistique, Carre des Artistes, Montreal, QC July 2018, 2022, 2023
- Galerie Carlos, Montreal June 2021
- Forest Asylum- Studio 77, Pointe-Claire QC - October 2019
- Paysages Québecois - Ville de Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield QC January 2018
- Histoires des Paysages - Carré des Artistes Montreal, QC - July 2017
- Soul Painting - L’ARTelier du Village, Pointe-Claire QC - July 2016

Juried Exhibitions

- Galerie Viva Vida, Pointe-Claire, QC June 2025
- Sympos'Arts de Saint-Eustache – Sainte-Eustache, QC May 2025
- Elected Members Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists, Pointe-Claire, QC Dec 2024
- Galerie Viva Vida – Célèbre 15 ans – June 2024
- Elected Members Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists, Montreal, QC Sept 2023
- Elected Members Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists, Fredericton, NB Sept 2021
- International Open Juried Online Exhibition – Society of Canadian Artists, 2021
- International Open Juried Online Exhibition – Society of Canadian Artists, 2020
- Square Foot Show, Senneville Nov 2019
- Stewart Hall - Pointe-Claire, Art Rental Program 2015 Collection
- Women’s Art Society of Montreal: (WASM) Annual Juried Art Exhibit 2014
- Galerie Sinfonia di Colori - Small Painting Exhibit Spring 2014, Small Painting Exhibit Fall 2013

Group Exhibitions

- CAPRAC Regional Art Tour 2023, 2024, 2025
- Gagné & Overbury – Carré des Artistes June 2022
- RAW – National Arts Drive 2020
- Glam Tour, Collingwood, Ontario, July 2019, 2022, 2023
- Red Dot Miami, Miami Florida USA – Dec 2019
- Plaisir des Artistes, Montreal, QC Aug 2019, 2022, 2023
- Forêt de Bronze avec Christine Gagné, Carré des Artistes, Montreal, QC July-Aug 2019
- SDC Les Quartiers du Canal - Exposition C2- Griffentown, QC May-Oct 2019
- L’Artelier du Village - with Lucy Anglin, Pointe-Claire, QC Nov 2018
- Foire Papier - Carré des Artistes, Montreal, QC April 2018
- The Open Door Fundraising Auction, April 2018 Café of the Monument National, Montreal, QC
- SDC Les Quartiers du Canal - Exposition C2- May-Oct, Griffentown, QC 2018
- Prismatique - Salle Jean-Paul-Morin, LaSalle College Environmental Committee Dec 2016
- TB Bank Exhibition: May 2016, November 2016
- St-Paul Art Gala April 2016
- L’ARTelier du Village Exhibition “L’Amour” February 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Élan Quebec, Cultural Event - Spring 2015
- Beaconsfield Cultural Exhibition Sept 2014
- Rigaud Library - Fall 2014
- M.E.A.L.“Artistiquement Vôtre” , Rigaud , QC Summer 2014
- Valéart Concours - Claire / Obscure, Valleyfield, QC, Summer 2014