"Crevice" 38" x 50" framed
"As a practicing architect for the past 33 years, design for me is nothing less than a divine inspiration and a lifetime passion. The typical architectural project in my office takes 3 years from conception to build-out and completion, sometimes much longer when considering the landscaping and furnishing. Much of this process, although very professionally rewarding for me, by necessity is far from spontaneous, intuitive and creative. The most artistically stimulating and creative portion of the architectural process is the design phase; and my favorite part of the design phase is the beginning- schematic and preliminary design- when anything and everything is still possible. The magic that occurs during the preliminary design phase is over too soon- it may only last a couple weeks. All too soon the methodical, laborious, detailed and very time consuming process of developing construction documents commences.
Abstract painting is my antidote, and compliment, to the practice of architecture. The design sensitivities are related. In fact, painting abstracts is much like the preliminary design phase in architecture when everything is still possible and there are an infinite number of design solutions available to satisfy the program needs. And what is best and unique to painting in the design world is that once the fun part is complete and resolved, instead of working for the next 2 to 3 years before you can enjoy the rewards of a completed project, you can immediately unwrap a new canvas and begin anew!
I always hesitate before I name a painting. By titling a work of abstract art the artist may very well be taking away from the viewer's imagination the process of discovery. A title suggests a mood, object or experience that the artist sees in the painting. Yet, there are many other potential experiences that the viewer may have with the painting had he not been led in a particular direction by the title. Similarly, I also hesitate when I sign, frame and hang a painting. Most of these paintings can be hung 4 ways. In fact, I encourage all of my clients to rehang their paintings in a different location and in a different orientation every week. Rotate the paintings 90 degrees every week and the work of art will remain fresh, alive and new. That is how you develop an intimate relationship with an abstract!"
Mark W. Canada
Abstract painting is my antidote, and compliment, to the practice of architecture. The design sensitivities are related. In fact, painting abstracts is much like the preliminary design phase in architecture when everything is still possible and there are an infinite number of design solutions available to satisfy the program needs. And what is best and unique to painting in the design world is that once the fun part is complete and resolved, instead of working for the next 2 to 3 years before you can enjoy the rewards of a completed project, you can immediately unwrap a new canvas and begin anew!
I always hesitate before I name a painting. By titling a work of abstract art the artist may very well be taking away from the viewer's imagination the process of discovery. A title suggests a mood, object or experience that the artist sees in the painting. Yet, there are many other potential experiences that the viewer may have with the painting had he not been led in a particular direction by the title. Similarly, I also hesitate when I sign, frame and hang a painting. Most of these paintings can be hung 4 ways. In fact, I encourage all of my clients to rehang their paintings in a different location and in a different orientation every week. Rotate the paintings 90 degrees every week and the work of art will remain fresh, alive and new. That is how you develop an intimate relationship with an abstract!"
Mark W. Canada
