“When Gary Met Jerry” — A Portrait of Gary Cooper in Front of the Seinfeld Diner

Gary Cooper Painting by Borbay

Moving out West from Manhattan, if I set-up shop and began painting pastoral cowboy scenes… they’d (literally) run me out of town, on a rail. No. That wouldn’t work. So… over the past two years… I’ve been trying to identify my vision of the West, through the lens of the East. Finally — the epiphany — Western Cowboys from the silver screen, in front of famous NYC neons. My first? Gary Cooper, from The Westerner, on his horse, in front of the Seinfeld Diner — Monk’s (actually, Tom’s Restaurant).

The narrative? Gary arrives at Monk’s, unannounced, for a drop-in with Jerry. Jerry offers Gary a bowl of cereal. Gary offers Jerry a smoke. They both decide this isn’t working out (it’s not like Gary asked for help moving, right Keith Hernandez?)… so Gary jumps on his horse, in search a gunfight… something ‘The Westerner’ was missing.

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Check the entire process inside a hot minute, soundtrack courtesy of Gato Loco. And, pardner, do read-on for more process.

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

The journey begins with two shapes, and a splash of Cadmium Red Medium.

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

There would be much darkness in this painting… dare I say, chiaroscuro? And so, the second tone was dark from the start. And, of course, the letters were popped in some Cad Orange.

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

Identifying the key shadows… the painting is 40″X40″, and since I paint with tiny brushes… it takes time to lay out the sections.

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

Banging out the neon tubes, adding highlights to Cooper and his steed.

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

It’s always helpful to take the painting outside. No matter how bright your studio lights… nothing beats Mother Nature’s spotlight.

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

Painting the mysterious tones of the building… at night… but city night, which is always reflecting light from every direction.

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

That polished blue metal… so shiny! Finally digging into Gary, identifying key shadows… making moves.

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

Working the interior of the diner. I went back-and-forth, trying to figure out how much detail should be included.

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

In fact, at one point, I painted Jerry into the background… yet, still, as most of my location paintings display no people, I wanted to retain that eerie silence. I don’t mean dystopian… just empty.

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

This was the fun part… really carving into the jacket, painting the details of Gary’s horse… capturing the reflected light on Gary’s face. Lighting the cigarette…

Gary Cooper Painting Process by Borbay

One final look, before adding the finishing touches.

Gary Cooper Painting by Borbay

And BOOM! When Gary Met Jerry… It’s been a long time since I’ve created a deliberate, cohesive series. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this excited about a body of work… up next? Clint Eastwood in front of Fanelli’s… stand by.

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