Nora Faber Overvoorde was born in Grand Rapids, MI in 1975, moved to McBain, MI when she was 3 with her parents Mark Lagerwey and Ellen Van Laar. Nora attended Calvin College where she received her Bachelors degree in Art Education and Psychology. 

Nora taught Art for 20 years primarily at WMAAA of Spring Lake, and North Pointe Christian in Grand Rapids. Currently she teaches for ACT- Artists Creating Together, Moline Christian, Northpointe Christian and the 4-Square Homeschool Program in Byron Center. Primarily she is a professional painter with a studio in her home.

As an artist Nora has been in Art Prize for 6 years, winning an award for Best of Calvin Alumni in ArtPrize 2015 with her painting Heavenly Choir now donated to Madison Church at the Square where she enjoys worshiping.

Nora’s process of painting is layered. She adds acrylic mixes, matte medium, salt and sand to provide a texture of foundation to her Clay Board. When these layers dry they become a layer for her revelatory rubbing technique of oils. She also etches into the clay or removes areas of paint to create more depth, often using a detail brush to add more detail to finish her renderings.

Painting is a form of worship for Nora; a way to express thoughts and prayers through abstract renderings of songs, Bible Passages and nature. Her plant series work is an emotional response to nature, which she adds natural objects for texture and actual plants to create surrealistic landscapes. Nora’s work is ever evolving as she uses her work as therapy-when needed, and always reflection. She also enjoys creating windows of Grace or Rest for viewers within her abstract Creations.

Nora Faber Overvoorde