At Warblers at Trinity, we feel incredibly fortunate to work with one of Newfoundland and Labrador's most distinguished artists and architects.
Frank Lapointe has brought his extraordinary vision and decades of expertise to designing each of our homes and outbuildings, creating spaces that are not just beautiful but deeply connected to the land and the rhythms of nature.
A Master of Many Arts
Frank Lapointe's artistic journey began in his hometown of Port Rexton, Trinity Bay, where he was born in 1942. What makes Frank truly special is hisrare combination of talents as both a celebrated visual artist and a skilled architect. After graduating with honours from the Ontario College of Art in1966, he spent four years teaching art in Ontario and Newfoundland before becoming curator of the Memorial University Art Gallery (now The RoomsProvincial Art Gallery) in 1972.
But Frank's artistic calling was too strong to ignore. He resigned in1973 to work on his art full time from his home and studio in Tors Cove, and it's from this decision that we've all benefited enormously.
The Southcott Lifetime AchievementRecognition
Frank's contributions to Newfoundland and Labrador's cultural heritage have been recognized at the highest levels. Interior renovations, which will reverse a 1970s apartment conversion and stabilize floor and support beams, have been designed by artist and architect Frank Lapointe. Lapointe is best known for his Newfoundland Postcard Series and Tors Cove House, showcasing his dual mastery of fine art and architectural design.
The Southcott Awards, established to recognize excellence in architectural heritage preservation, represent the pinnacle of recognition in this field. These prestigious awards honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to preserving and celebrating the architectural character of our province. Frank's lifetime achievement recognition through these awards speaks to his decades of dedication to both artistic excellence and architectural heritage.
Hand-Drawn Plans as Works of Art
One of the most remarkable aspects of working with Frank is witnessing his design process. In our digital age, Frank continues to create all his architectural plans entirely by hand. These drawings aren't just functional blueprints—they're genuine works of art that capture the soul of each building before it's even constructed.
When you see Frank's hand-drawn plans, you immediately understand that teach line, each carefully considered detail, represents hours of thoughtful consideration. His drawings reveal not just the structure of a building, but its relationship to the landscape, its response to seasonal changes, and its harmony with the natural world.
Designing with Nature's Rhythms
Frank's approach to architecture is deeply rooted in understanding the land itself. For each home and outbuilding at Warblers at Trinity, he carefully studies the typography of the site, considering how the sun will move across the sky throughout the day and how the wind patterns will affect the building's comfort and energy efficiency.
This isn't just about practical considerations—though those are important. It's about creating buildings that feel like they belong, that seem to have grown naturally from the landscape rather than being imposed upon it. Frank understands that great architecture works with nature, not against it.
A Celebrated Visual Artist
Beyond his architectural work, Frank Lapointe is one of Newfoundland andLabrador's most accomplished visual artists. In the 1970s, Lapointe created one of his best-known works, the acclaimed Newfoundland Postcard Series. It consists of more than 20 lithograph prints using old postcard messages from around the province.
Lapointe's work has been exhibited in solo and group shows across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Japan. His art is included in many private and public collections, including The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery's PermanentCollection, the National Gallery of Canada, The Canada Council Art Bank, theVancouver Art Gallery, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Photography, and theArt Gallery of Ontario.
His art works are included in numerous private, corporate and public collections such as those at the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery ofOntario, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Canada Council Art Bank, the Bank ofNova Scotia, the Royal Bank, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Photography,Air Canadian and the Federal Department of Public works including a sculpture at the Post Office in Grand Falls, Newfoundland.
The Artist's Continuing Journey
It's been more than 60 years since he first started, and Frank Lapointe is still searching for his best painting. At 75, the artist feels a bit like time has started to close in. Lapointe has been a fixture in Newfoundland andLabrador's vibrant visual arts community for decades. And he says he feels the pressure to find that best piece in a way that he hasn't in the past — but that still hasn't changed his slow, deliberate art style.
"I tell people I do a watercolour in three or four hours, but actually it's 40 years," he says from his home in Trinity East, onNewfoundland's Bonavista Peninsula. "Wherever I go I take a sketch pad [and] watercolours set, and if I see something that moves me I will do a sketch; I will write in notations concerning the weather or how I feel,"he explains. "Two, three, 10 years later, I will come across that sketch and I'll say, 'Oh yeah, now I remember.'"
Compared to many other painters, Lapointe uses a slow process, often letting years pass before the inspiration to paint strikes. But that distance has a point: it means Lapointe isn't locked into a photorealistic representation of the mountains or oceans in front of him. By the time he returns to his sketchpad, all he has is his imagination and his memory. "You look at a painting of mine, and you look at the subject that initiated that idea, and there's no similarity whatsoever. To copy a photograph into a painting, to me is a waste of time. It shows your manual dexterity and your ability to manipulate paint, but it's not creating anything new."
Throughout his life, Lapointe has been an architect, a curator, a filmmaker and an instructor in parts of Newfoundland and Ontario. Having returned to his old home in Trinity Bay, where his passion for art started, he says he's looking to do his best work yet. "From a very young age, I had that pull. I was fascinated by houses and buildings, and how they were constructed. And I was fascinated by imagery," he says. From his first foray into art — as a toddler, apparently, making a mural out of his kitchen — his fascination grew and grew. In Grade 6, he received a set of gouache colours from his teacher, and in Grade 11, he challenged the public examination to get a credit in an art course.
He then went to art college, did some teaching, curated at the MemorialUniversity Art Gallery and ultimately quit to become an artist full-time. That was more than 40 years ago. He's also dabbled in filmmaking, creating a project that was purchased by the National Film Board. "I've gone through periods when I paint a lot and then I do architecture work... and I've done sculpture. But right now I'm on a roll for watercolour painting."
So how can he keep things interesting after four decades of work? " I always maintain that my best painting is the one next, [that] I'm going to do tomorrow or later today or next week. That's my best hasn't been done yet."
This philosophy—that the best work is always yet to come—perfectly captures Frank's approach to both his art and his architectural projects. Every building he designs for Warblers at Trinity reflects this commitment to excellence and continuous growth.
Art in Our Homes
We're incredibly proud to feature Frank's artwork throughout our homes atWarblers at Trinity. Having his original pieces displayed in our spaces means that guests experience not just the architecture Frank has designed, but also the artistic vision that informs every aspect of his work.
Throughout his life, Lapointe has been an architect, a curator, a filmmaker and an instructor, bringing a rich diversity of perspectives to everything he creates. When visitors see his paintings alongside the space she's designed, they gain a deeper appreciation for the holistic artistic vision that shapes every detail of their experience.
A Legacy of Excellence
Frank Lapointe represents the best of Newfoundland and Labrador's creative spirit. His work embodies a deep respect for the land, a commitment to craftsmanship, and an understanding that great architecture and great art both spring from the same source: a profound connection to place and community.
Lapointe has since returned to his hometown of Port Rexton, Trinity Bay, bringing his artistic journey full circle. Having this celebrated artist working so close to home, creating buildings that will serve families for generations to come, feels like a tremendous gift.
At Warblers at Trinity, we're honored to be part of Frank Lapointe's continuing legacy. Every home he designs for us is not just a place to live—it's a work of art that responds to the land, embraces the climate, and celebrates the rich architectural heritage of our province.
When you stay in one of our homes, you're experiencing the vision of a true master—an artist whose hand-drawn plans become living spaces that connect you more deeply to the beautiful landscape of Trinity Bay and the enduring traditions of Newfoundland and Labrador craftsmanship.
Sources:
Frank Lapointe Biography - Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador
The Trident - Fall 2017 - Newfoundland & Labrador Historic Trust
Red Ochre Gallery - Frank Lapointe
