“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.

https://www.facebook.com/borbay/videos/1648992768517702/

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

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The Mint Bar Painting, And Great Adventures With Travis and Chas

The Mint Bar Painting by Borbay

It was a great American Adventure! Just yours truly, Chas and Travis of Jackson Hole Stillworks… road tripping from Jackson Hole to Cheyenne, for the Wyoming Governor’s Conference. We ate sushi, drank cocktails, hung out with a man named Monkey…

https://www.facebook.com/borbay/videos/1637357283014584/

Here’s my painting of the FABULOUS Mint Bar marquee, a Sheridan landmark, captured in a 45-second time lapse. Thank you MH the Verb and GR Stone for the beats. Now, let’s jump into the road trip!

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Bay Shore’s Steve Borbet Track

Bay Shore Steve Borbet Track Painting by Borbay

My Dad, Steve Borbet, has dedicated his life to developing athletes and humans at BAY SHORE HS. To date, he has been inducted into The Armory National Track and Field Hall of Fame, Suffolk County, New York Hall of Fame, was named National Scholastic Athletics Foundation Coach of The Year, and, the Bay Shore track now bears his name.

https://www.facebook.com/borbay/videos/1618237858259860/

My Dad’s biggest supporter, my Mom Kathie, commissioned this painting to celebrate a historic career. A big thank you to MH the Verb for the apropos soundtrack.

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A Portrait Of Trevor Gillies

Trevor Gillies Portrait by Borbay

My neighborhood on Long Island was fiercely divided. Neighbors took sides, and this animus bled into the streets… during roller hockey games. You were either an Islanders fan, or a Rangers fan — never both. I was, and remain, the former. During the 2009 season, a familiar name hit the ice — Trevor Gillies. He quickly became a fan favorite, and remained that way, even when the Coliseum faithful found out, he wasn’t, in fact, related to the legend — Clark Gillies.

How did this portrait come to be? During our first summer in Teton Valley, we attended a charity event at Teton Springs. There, I met a gentleman named Michael. As it happens, Erin and I  found out the gender of our third child that evening, so Michael took me to the clubhouse for a celebratory shot of Jam-O. During our chat, I confessed my love for hockey, and he revealed the name of his brother-in-law — Trevor Gillies. And so, the wheels were set in motion…

Here is a look at the entire creative process, in time lapse. The track, Powerful Vibes (feat. Dolio The Sleuth, GR Stone & Stewie), has been provided by MH the Verb… run, don’t walk, to his website and buy his new album — Afronaut… yes, I painted the album cover.

And now… on to the process, with more about the story behind this new painting.

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Rammell Barn Painting, A Teton Springs Landmark

Rammell Barn Painting Teton Springs By Borbay

I recently discovered the following, “Any artists living in Idaho for a period of sixteen or more months, is required by law, to create a barn painting. Said Barn must represent at least 40% of the picture plane to be considered a Idaho state approved barn painting.”

And so… I present my painting of Rammell Barn — a landmark located in Teton Springs, of Teton Valley, in Victor, Idaho. Interestingly enough, in early 2026, I was informed the actual name of this structure is the Curtis Barn, named after Nahum and Annie Curtis, the original homesteaders of the property now known as Teton Springs.

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