The Making of Fine Art and the Story of People
Why “HEYDA” ? Emerging in the late 16th century, the word “Heyda” was originally an exclamation of cheerfulness and surprise. It is the direct ancestor of the modern word “heyday”—a term synonymous with a period of great success, vitality, and creative peak. We chose this name to embody our Canadian Creative Atelier’s philosophy: The New Dawn of Heritage. By adapting traditional art-making for the modern aesthetic, we create custom acrylic or oil on canvas artworks for multi-dimensional impact, from interior design to corporate branding.
ARTISTRY
The Fine Art Making Process, the Master Artists, and the Selective Materials
Following the principle of "80% Accuracy x 20% Creativity", we create each artwork as a balance of structural precision and artistic expression. Each acrylic or oil on canvas painting is a combination of the client’s vision and the artist’s expression. The result is a museum-grade work of art that becomes a long-lasting emotional asset.
METHODOLOGY
To create each custom artwork, an artist who has mastered the techniques of your chosen style will hand-paint each piece with multiple layers of acrylic or oil on canvas. This traditional art-making process typically requires 3–6 weeks of active creation, followed by a natural drying period of 1–3 weeks. We divide our process into three phases to ensure the aesthetic beauty and the longevity of materials.
Phase 1: Foundation
The first step is establishing the layout and composition. To ensure precision, the artist in charge of each project utilizes modern alignment tools to map the details and then applies the very first layer of acrylic or oil paint to the canvas.
Phase 2: Curation
After the foundation layer reaches a suitable dryness, the artist begins working on the details. Following traditional art-making methods, the artist applies the techniques required to bring the acrylic or oil on canvas painting to life. At this phase, depending on the specific work of art, a wide variety of techniques will be deployed—from Impressionist brushwork to sculptural palette-knife textures.
Phase 3: Refinement
Once the layers have settled, the artist enters the final adjustment phase. This stage focuses on light-balancing and tonal harmony, ensuring the finished work resonates beautifully with its intended environment and atmosphere.
ARTISTS
To achieve museum-grade art, we collaborate with artists who have perfected their craftsmanship for decades. Most of the artists working with HEYDA today are from the old gallery in Saigon. For more than two decades, each of them has been creating thousands of custom acrylic or oil on canvas paintings for clients around the world. They might not be household names like Pablo Picasso or Vincent Van Gogh, but they are the individuals dedicated to keep traditional fine art alive—adding timeless beauty to thousands of homes and offices.
MATERIALS
To create artwork aligning with your vision, we carefully select suitable, archival-grade materials. The paints and canvases available on the market are not created equal—even within the same professional tier. We select all materials based on two criteria: (1) Visual impact, and (2) Longevity. The results are custom acrylic or oil on canvas paintings that beautifully endure for decades.
The Canvas
Utilizing premium cotton or linen, we select fine, medium, or rough textures to match the unique characteristics of each artwork. Every canvas is pre-primed with professional gesso to ensure a long-lasting bond.
The Paint
Depending on the specific style of the artwork, we choose either acrylic or oil paints. For example, an impressionist portrait demands the depth of oil paints, whereas an expressionist abstract requires the impasto texture of acrylics. To achieve both visual impact and longevity, we work exclusively with archival-grade materials from Winsor & Newton Winton, Pébéo, and equivalents.
HISTORY
The Legacy of International Pedigree and Fine Art for the Modern Era
Today, we live in an era defined by rapid technological change, from AI to robotics. While fast-moving decoration trends like TV-Wall Art come and go, traditional paintings have remained deeply relevant for centuries. At HEYDA, we choose to celebrate traditional fine art—not as a way of preserving the past, but as a bridge connecting to the future. Our artworks are far beyond fast-consuming decorations; they are crafted to be long-lasting, valuable assets—both emotionally and materially.
LEGACY
Based in Nova Scotia, Canada, HEYDA is built on an international pedigree. Our story began two decades ago within a reputable gallery on Saigon’s Dong Khoi Street—a historic district renowned for supplying paintings to luxury estates and private collections across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and North America. Today, we have transitioned that rich heritage into a Canadian-led atelier. By combining European finesse and Canadian creative freedom with elite craftsmanship, we create museum-grade works of art for interior design and marketing worldwide.
INSPIRATION
I am Gordon ML Huynh, Founder x Creative Director of HEYDA. My journey began in 2003 within my family’s gallery in Saigon. In 2005, I moved to France to pursue my education at Aix-Marseille Université, eventually continuing my studies at Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada. Throughout my education and corporate career, I have maintained a deep connection with the art world—actively collaborating with clients and artists on various projects.
In 2015, I chose to step back from the studio to focus on a new direction in Finance. However, walking through the Toronto Art Fair years later changed everything. Surrounded by creative energy, I experienced a familiar wave of inspiration—art was not merely a chapter from my past, but a lifelong connection.
By combining knowledge from multiple industries, I have brought together a team of art enthusiasts. This ensemble includes the very same master artists who spent decades perfecting their craft in the old gallery. Together, we create timeless works of art for multi-dimensional impact.
PROJECTS
The Custom Fine Art Portfolio
For more than two decades, our artists have handcrafted thousands of artworks for clients around the world. These custom acrylic or oil on canvas paintings have been part of prestigious estates, luxury resorts, and professional spaces throughout the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and North America. Below is a selection of our works from the old gallery alongside new commissions. These pieces serve as a testament to our commitment to craftsmanship and human-centered philosophy.
