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Bio
From an early age, Nancyanne Cowell began painting our relationship with nature in the Canadian landscape. An Award of Distinction artist, she is well regarded for her powerful atmospheric landscapes of masterful light and composition. Ethereal and delightfully tactile, Cowell poetically paints through thoughts, memories and sublime experiences with nature. She studied the works of Old Masters and modern painters. Combining timeless and progressive techniques, Cowell skillfully paints through extensive layers of colour, tooled textures and mesmerizing transitions of pulled pigment.
Selected by Canada’s Research Chair for sustainable communities (and recipient of the Canada Council Arts Molson Prize), a complete series of Nancyanne Cowell's paintings is academically published. She made a unique and revolutionary body of work celebrating art and nature that was honoured by The Bateman Gallery of Nature. At the regional level, she won the Designers Choice Award for best artistic and innovative accomplishment in painting. Cowell also produces collections that exhibit in public and commercial galleries. Her award-winning artwork is collected in major private, corporate, institutional and public living spaces.
BFA (Hon) (Distinct), MBA, LFC; Award of Distinction for painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Victoria; elected member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.
Curatorial Statement
by Stephanie Webb, BA, BFA (Hon), MA, Art Curator
 Soul of the Land
Nancyanne Cowell is an inspirational artist of our time. Her stunning and sensuously vibrant ‘ecoscapes’ profoundly capture the cyclical nature of our existence. When handled with such virtuosity, Cowell’s subjects — love, life and death — compellingly speak to the fragility of the world, as we know it. Cowell’s powerful, yet tenderly painted atmospheric paintings show evidence of making, unmaking and remaking, conjuring spectres of the inexorable passage of time. Yes, time is fleeting but, here, it is marked and recorded by the tempo of the brush … the whisper of a wing, a suggestion of a wave, an edge, flashes of flesh, drops of pooling light, hints of blue and pink: Am I beside a perilous precipice, at the edge of the world, witnessing a birth — the first breath — or caught in time, gazing deeply into the jeweled tones of a dragonfly’s eye? Bringing forth deep emotions, we are given space to integrate our own stories and experiences into these large-format ‘ecoscapes’, for they are mysterious and as multivalent as they are layered.
Born in Ottawa, Cowell’s early years were spent painting and examining the diversity of her surroundings, and it was here — growing up in the greenbelt of southern Ontario — that she became aware of the tenuous interconnections within ecosystems. Later, Cowell relocated to the west coast to undertake a BFA with Honours and was granted the Award of Distinction for painting, whilst concurrently studying Environmental Philosophy. Shortly thereafter, she earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, which deepened her understanding of society and, more importantly, continues to inform her art making. This combination of fine art, philosophy and business studies proved potent. Driven to inspire positive change, Cowell taught sustainability and marketing at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Although this experience was wonderfully rewarding for her, when the ‘roar of unstoppable paint’ could be denied no longer, Cowell became a full-time artist. Now, she inspires by different means. Painting on canvas, Cowell creates life-affirming, atmospheric 'ecoscapes' that are never mournful but always filled with vitality — that we can, and will, bring ourselves back from the brink…
Current Representation
The Bateman Gallery of Nature, www.batemancentre.org
The only Canadian public gallery promoting artwork to inspire a generation of people to have a deep relationship with nature. Provides leading-edge exhibits and public-education programs, and displays the permanent collection of Robert Bateman. Hosts featured exhibits of Nancyanne Cowell's painting collections and projects. The gallery is currently in the process of searching for a new location in Victoria, British Columbia.
Federation Gallery, www.artists.ca
Exhibits and sells original fine art representing elected-member artists with national standards, the Federation of Canadian Artists was founded by the Group of Seven to promote and support the knowledge and achievements of Canadian arts and culture at the national level. Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Federation Gallery hosts national juried art exhibits and also offers online art-shopping.
Fortune Gallery, www.fortunegallery.ca
Exhibits and sells original contemporary fine art and hosts exhibits for the Victoria Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists. A multi-award winning gallery, it is historically located in the vibrant, bustling Chinatown in Victoria, British Columbia.
Edward Jones Investment
A corporate representative; permanently exhibits and promotes Nancyanne Cowell's paintings nurturing nature, in the Oak Bay location in Victoria, BC.
Past Representation
Bateman Gallery of Nature
JDStevenson Gallery
Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery
The Gallery at Mattick's
Permanent Fine Art Collections
Royal Roads University, three paintings, Victoria, BC
Edward Jones Canada, featured, Victoria, BC
Community Research Connections, Edging Forward Art Gallery (online)
Age Less Spa Clubs, featured, Victoria, BC
Exhibitions
2024 Edward Jones Canada (featured), Oak Bay BC
2024 Colwood Arts & Culture, FCA Victoria Fall Exhibit (juried), Victoria BC
2023 Fortune Gallery, FCA Victoria Fall Exhibit, (juried), Victoria BC
2023 Edward Jones Canada (featured), Victoria BC
2023 Fortune Gallery, FCA Victoria Spring Exhibit (juried), Victoria BC
2022 Federation Gallery, The Curated Collection (national), Vancouver BC
2021 Sooke Fine Arts Regional Show, (juried) Sooke BC
2021 Federation Gallery, The Curated Collection (national), Vancouver BC
2021 Edward Jones Canada, (featured), Cordova Bay BC
2020 Federation Gallery, Looking In-Looking Out (FCA Victoria)
2020 Federation Gallery, Social Distancing (int'l juried), Vancouver BC
2020 Edward Jones Canada, (featured), Victoria BC
2020 year of Covid-19 pandemic...events and galleries closed
2019 JDStevenson Gallery, Spring Show, Chemainus BC
2019 Royal Roads University Gallery, (solo show), Victoria BC
2019 Federation Gallery, Abstracted (nat’l juried), Vancouver BC
2019 Edward Jones Canada, (featured), Victoria BC
2019 JDStevenson Gallery, Holiday Show, Chemainus BC
2018 Sooke Fine Arts Regional Show, (best in show award, juried)
2018 JDStevenson Gallery, Summer Show, Chemainus BC
2018 Edward Jones Canada, lobby, (featured), Victoria BC
2018 Royal Roads University Gallery, Edging Forward (solo), Victoria BC
2018 JDStevenson Gallery, Holiday Show, Chemainus BC
2017 Bateman Gallery of Nature, Edging Forward, (solo) Victoria BC
2017 JDStevenson Gallery, Summer Show, Chemainus BC
2017 JDStevenson Gallery, (featured), Chemainus BC
2017 Edward Jones Canada, (featured), Victoria BC
2017 JDStevenson Gallery, Holiday Show, Chemainus BC
2016 JDStevenson Gallery, Fall Show, Chemainus BC
2016 Edward Jones Canada, lobby, (featured), Victoria BC
2016 JDStevenson Gallery, Inaugural Show, Chemainus BC
2016 Victora Arts Council, (juried), Victoria BC
2016 Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery, (solo), Sooke BC
2015 The Gallery-at Mattick's, Holiday Show, Victoria BC
2015 Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery, (group) Sooke BC
2015 The Gallery-at Mattick's, Spring Show, Victoria BC
2015 Edward Jones Canada, lobby, (featured), Victoria BC
2015 The Gallery-at Mattick's, (featured), Victoria BC
2015 Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery, (solo), Sooke BC
2015 The Gallery-at Mattick's, Holiday Show, Victoria BC
2014 Arts Center Gallery at Cedar Hill, (juried), Saanich BC
2014 The Gallery-at Mattick's, Spring Show, Victoria BC
2014 Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery, (solo), Sooke BC
2014 Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery, (group), Sooke BC
2014 Edward Jones Canada, lobby, (featured), Victoria BC
2013 The Gallery-at Mattick's, Holiday Show, Victoria BC
2013 The Gallery-at Mattick's, (featured), Victoria BC
2013 Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery (group), Sooke BC
2013 Edward Jones Canada, lobby, (featured), Victoria BC
2013 Victoria Arts Council, (juried), Victoria BC
2013 Arts Center Gallery at Cedar Hill, (juried), Saanich BC
2013 Saanich Municipal Hall Gallery, (featured), Saanich BC
2012 The Gallery-at Mattick's, Holiday Show, Victoria BC
2012 Edward Jones Canada, lobby, (featured), Victoria BC
2012 The Gallery-at Mattick's, Spring Show, Victoria BC
2011 Saanich Studio Tour, (sold out), Saanich BC
2011 Edward Jones Canada, (featured), Victoria BC
2011 Victoria Arts Council, (juried), Victoria BC
2010 The Gallery-at Mattick's, Fall Show, Victoria BC
2010 Saanich Studio Tour, Saanich BC
2010 Victoria Arts Council, (juried), Victoria BC
2010 The Gallery-at Mattick's, (featured), Victoria BC
2010 Edward Jones Canada, (featured), Victoria BC
2009 The Gallery-at Mattick's, Holiday Show, Victoria BC
2009 The Gallery-at Mattick's, (featured), Victoria BC
2009 Victoria Arts Council, (juried), Victoria BC
2009 Edward Jones Canada, (featured), Victoria BC
2009 Saanich Studio Tour, (sold out), Saanich BC
2008 The Gallery-at Mattick's, (featured), Victoria BC
Media
Front Cover with featured painting, "edging forward" book (reconciliation, reconnection, regeneration) by Ann Dale, designed by Friesen Press & Publishing, 2024.
Island Arts Magazine, "Hill of Dreams" painting selected for the spring 2023 Mar-Apr edition
Front Cover, 2019 Exhibition Catalogue, Sooke Fine Arts Regional Show, 'Between Tomorrow' painting, awarded 2018 Designers Choice for best artistic accomplishment and originality
Royal Roads University Media, 'RRU Acquires Cowell Painting', by Ali Blythe, July 2019
Sooke Fine Arts Show Poster, 'Between Tomorrow' painting selected for 2019 poster to represent the 33rd Sooke Fine Arts Juried Show in western Canada, United States and abroad
33rd Sooke Fine Arts Show Media, 'Between Tomorrow' painting selected for all domestic and international print media, social media, television and radio press, as well as digital street bulletins
Quill and Quire Magazine, Review, "Edging Forward" book by Ann Dale & Edging Forward Art collection by Nancyanne Cowell, Feb 2018
Front Cover, Focus Magazine, 'Carbon Thoughts' painting, Sept-Oct issue, 2017
2017 Exhibition Catalogue, Edging Forward Exhibit, Bateman Gallery of Nature, Fernweh Press Publishing, authored by Jamie Clifton-Ross, Research & Art Curator
Coalition of Museums for Climate, Featured Article, "Edging Forward Exhibit on art and science collaboration", Jaime Clifton-Ross, Curator, Bateman Gallery of Nature, Mchriscastle, Nov 2017
Fernweh Press, "Edging Forward Project" (achieving sustainable development) by Dr. Ann Dale, multi-media website offering academic research, films, videos, podcasts and an online art gallery curating the paintings for the Edging Forward Art Collection by Nancyanne Cowell, 2017
Chin Yuen Art, Article, "Women Hold Up Half The Sky" Exhibit, March 2016
SEASIDE Magazine, Article, "Time Suspended: Dust Motes, Dragonflies and Dandelion Clocks", Stephanie Webb, Jan 2014
The Cordovan, News Vignette, "...fast on the rise", Issue 10, Winter 2013
CACGV Newsletter, News Vignette, July 2013
Front Cover & Feature Article, "moments", ISLAND Gals Magazine, Peer-Recommended Artist for Inspiration and Motivation, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Volume 3, Issue 2, June 2013
SEASIDE Magazine, News Vignette, Seaside Arts Scene, Gillian Crowley, June 2013
CACGV Newsletter, News Vignette, May 2013
SEASIDE Magazine, Arts Feature Article, 2013 Women to WATCH, "...in the garden", Mar 2013
Exhibit-V, Art Connections, Ezine Article, ["...you can almost taste her paintings"], Stephanie Webb, Mar 2013
The Cordovan, Article, "You Can Almost Taste Her Paintings", edited by Chris Harbor, Spring 2013
CACGV Newsletter, News Vignette, Apr 2013
YAM Magazine, Painting in Featured Home, Home and Garden, July/Aug 2011
Where Magazine, Canada's Travel Planner, Vignette, "Featured Artist", The Gallery-at Matticks, July 2010
Saanich Newspaper, Article, "Painter Nancyanne Cowell", Island Life Style, June 2009
Preview, Art Gallery Guide, Vignette, "Featured Artist", The Gallery-at Matticks, 2009
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