2011 began true and proper with HOV… a work of art, a Warhol (already). He was both the first of my #KingsOfHipHop, and the first painting of the year.

Looking back, 2010 kicked-off with a flavor of Vegas, and 2009 was about the actual jump from ad-man to artist.

Jay-Z got a nice little shout from The Source, a terrific start to year filled with outstanding press coverage.

While Jay was in process, I was also working on a commission of Citi Field… at night.

Night paintings are always exceedingly difficult, but I had a blast with this one — now in the Garrick collection.

And now, the rest of 2011…. be prepared, it’s a long and winding road.

I’ve made some foolish bets in my day — but this is one I will never regret. During the Olympic Final, I challenged the Stanley Cup Keeper via phone (courtesy of Fish) to a wager… when America lost, I lost as well. The result? A maple leaf. On canvas. Now residing in a good Canadians home.

In 2011, I launched my first ever campaign site for a single painting: the Apple Store picture. The site was FWA Shortlisted, and the painting was snapped up by a collector in Japan.

We had a nice studio visit to work and drink with the legend, Jeremy Penn.

Moving on from crushing defeat, I shifted gears back to my Kings series with Mr. Kanye West. His eyes are more red than the devil is, did you know that? Kanye is now living on the UWS (the painting, anyway).

Kanye got some Roc4Life love.

In 2011 I hosted my first art workshop at Bayshore High School. My hair was pretty long son.

On a roll with the series, I belted out a payne’s grey and white portrait of Diddy — an appropriate palette for the mogul.

Warhol’s old hangout gave Diddy a shout…

And, I was interviewed by Oregon-based JobLab by the man — Coe Lottis.

I promised my brother Dan a painting for his birthday, so I collaged this canvas out of his expired shooting range targets… as you can see, he’s a great shot.

Oh, and me and my love were featured in The Metro, smooching it up in Times Square.

Whenever a collective art project pops up, I’m interested. The Artist Reclamation Project was one of those gigs I couldn’t turn down.

A new digital magazine posted this sweet interview…

Taking a siesta from hip-hops royalty, I set up in my friend Pete’s penthouse apartment to knock out this colorful commission of the Triboro Bridge. Did you know, in NYC, to conserve funds, we rename bridges and streets fortnightly?

Mr. Snoop Dogg, throwing gang signs language… the green palette was influenced by…

University Square… the commission partner for the Triboro Bridge painting… this was based on a watercolor from a book.

This year, there were many live event paintings… here is the BTK Band in full swing in Hell’s Kitchen.

Erin’s family took us for an incredible trip to Jamaica, Runaway Bay… this is one of four 10″X10″ canvases I painted there. Mmmm… jerk chicken.

In April, I curated a show featuring the whole gang at Klimat…

And back in NYC, I got cracking on this commission of Duane Street in TriBeCa.

In April, Ari Lankin and me spent nine days painting live in Las Vegas. It was one hell of an adventure… we even did live painting at a Broadway Cares benefit at Planet Hollywood.

Upon my return, the Kings rolled on with Em… looking all sorts of Rainbow Shady.

Before there was Beats by Dre, there was Dre ala NWA…

I had the pleasure of meeting Daniel Lamarre, CEO of Cirque Du Soleil. Inspirational man… terrific organization.

And the beginning of my obsessive video process capture of my paintings… a set of Upper East Side townhouses.

And on to Larchmont for the Flag House series… this one is on a wall in high altitude, Colorado style.

The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Patch had this nice write-up about my Flag House series.

My work was featured in a red-carpet white party gallery affair, celebrating 30 years of Siwat.

Three years of The Guggenheim… 17 to go. Here is the latest, which is now in the Penn permanent collection.

My twenty year project got some nice press from The Gothamist.

In one of our many charitable live painting events, Ari and me at The Roseland Ballroom for Broadway Bares, Manhattan.

Something in me said if you can put a mustache on the Mona Lisa, then I could Borbay Bomb Warhol’s Marilyn. This now belongs to fellow artist and good friend, Paul Zepeda.

Tis the seasoning… Old Bay. This was the outline style that began with the Metrodome painting at the end of 2010.

I celebrated my two year anniversary of being a full-time artist, officially most longest career.

Ari curated the show Clipped at Le Salon d’ Art across from Arlene’s Grocery.

Here is the wedding party gift I created… the painting was broken up into 12 individual paintings…

And I got married on July 9, 2011 to my love — Erin Nicole Borbet!

Ohhhhh baby!

And some love from Minnesota Bride magazine…

And right back to the easel with Young Money Cash Money Billionaire, — the final piece in my #KingsOfHipHop series.

Here is a fine write-up courtesy of Greg Spielberg at Open House announcing the completion of my Kings series.

To break things up, I did this live painting in an hour during a slam poetry/tap dancing event at the Brooklyn Historical Society. It’s now one of my favorites. Shout to Mr. Jeff Dess.

Fameball Andy Golub and his tween girl squad blowing up my drawing spot… thank all that is holy, Andy kept his clothes on.

How could I not paint Woody Allen? Perhaps one day I’ll do a larger one.

The ladies of The Topshelf Network became big players in my world this year… here is how we got connected.

My #KingsOfHipHop show was a beast…. hosted by Publicis Modem, the opening was a smash and many of the paintings sold.

The show received some incredible press, highlighted by this spectacular write-up by Zack O’Malley Greenberg, author of “Empire State of Mind” and Forbes staff writer.

This shout from Complex came by way of introduction by Dan Charnas, author of “The Big Payback“….

Kyle Harvey from NBC’s The Grio stopped by to preview the show, and our most enjoyable interview was transcribed here.

And finally, this wonderful write-up from Remi at Soul Bounce… owner of the Kanye Painting.

And big love to Bomb Lager, who did a tremendous job promoting the arts this year.

Here is my commission for Advertising Week… it ended up in four magazines as a full page ad, and was animated in an ad that played in taxi’s across the city.

This year, I had the distinct pleasure of creating this 26’X11′ mural with Jeremy Penn at Jake’s Saloon, on West 57th and 10th Avenue. I’m pleased to report the mural has become something of a landmark in the neighborhood — big huge thanks to the Jimmy’s the commission.

Painting number two in the Larchmont Flag House Series… Laura’s Favorite Place.

There are many artists in the world, I am one of them.

A little love for my friend Yanik in Montreal… he hooked up some pretty good stuff during Advertising Week, so this was my thank you.

In my first major brand extension, I branded Bomb Wines… it features a commissioned painting and the hand drawn logo I created.

I got back on the guest lecture circuit, thanks to Ryan Seslow and his Art Appreciation class at Iona College.

My Guggenheim #3 was shown in the Bombay Artisan Series…

It’s all about giving back… this was a painting donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation, which auctioned at their gala. I also created a painting for the We Love Japan benefit earlier in the year.

ARTPROV at Disney’s Festival of the Masters — brought to you by Michael’s… Michael’s was incredible, flying us down, putting us up and sponsoring this great event. Here is a my Pleasure Island Parkscape.

This was the six-20-minute session live ARTPROV painting… both are now in the Michael’s corporate collection.

On to this portrait of my beloved bride, Erin…

My love, getting Minnesota Bride love.

Ending 2011 with a bang was paramount… so I dug into my deep passion for film and began a new series… here is Hunter S. Depp… two men I admire in one picture.

Johnny proved to be Thrill(ist)ing.

Oh, and Bifuteki approved as well.

What what? Oh, it’s Pitt from Snatch.

And a fitting painting end to 2011… this live event painting created on-site and donated to benefit the children of Haiti.

2011 was an incredible year… I was married, built upon my career and set myself up for an exciting 2012. Here’s a big thanks to everyone in my orbit — my family, friends, collectors, hockey teammates… everyone. Big love for you all.

Finally, big thanks to Josh Wand for everything, once again.