Category: Painting Process

Neon Grande Odalisque — Ingres Reinterpreted by Borbay

Originally painted in 1814 by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Grande Odalisque remains one of the most discussed figures in Western art. Its famously elongated anatomy—both improbable and elegant—has fascinated viewers for more than two centuries.

That tension between distortion and beauty made the painting irresistible for reinterpretation through neon.

This work continues Borbay’s Re-Mastered Series, translating historic masterworks into contemporary visual language.

The project began during a conversation with a collector exploring a commission. They were initially drawn to Neon Girl with a Pearl Earring, which had already been placed, and suggested looking deeper into the series. I created a shared Dropbox folder and invited them to add works that resonated. When the file titled “Top_Fav_Grande_Odalisque_Ingres” appeared, the direction was clear.

Many Borbay paintings begin this way—through conversations with collectors that evolve into collaborative studio explorations.

Read more

Introducing the Borbay Equity Pricing Model

Borbay Studios & Gallery is delighted to introduce the Borbay Equity Pricing Model. The BEPM allows collectors to acquire, and own, an original Borbay painting for 10, 20, or 30% below market rate.

In exchange, Borbay will retain like equity in the painting(s) acquired. The basic terms of this engagement are as follows:

Read more

“Turned Myself to Face Me” Painting by Borbay

I Turned Myself to Face Me by Borbay

Introducing the largest canvas painting of my career, “Turned Myself to Face Me” — a 52.5″X94.5″, Acrylic on Belgian Linen partial collage-painting portrait of David Bowie.

This work began on January 10, 2025, and was signed on November 2, 2025. Bowie tested everything I knew about painting, and became the catalyst for significant creative and professional growth.

Read more

Cartoon Cake Guggenheim, Guggenheim Painting 17 of 20

Cartoon Cake Guggenheim Painting by Borbay

For Year Seventeen in my 20-Year-Guggenheim series, I returned to 89th Street and 5th Avenue to paint on-location. Once again, the vibes, energy, conversations and weather dictated the canvas… my reason for creating on-site.

Read more

Capturing a “Flowering Peach” — Painting Hole # 3 at The Masters

Flowering Peach August Hole 3 Painting by Borbay

There are eighteen greens at Augusta National — I’m painting each one. Beginning in 2020 with “Golden Bell“, I’m delighted to share the sixth works in my “Masters Series” — “Flowering Peach”, hole #3 at The Masters.

I celebrated Rory’s magical victory, with a painting showcasing a labyrinth of thousands of individual hand-painted swirls, following two pointillism-focused works.

Read more

The, The Kramer — A Painting

Jerry Seinfeld is a fan of “the”. Not wanting his writers to waste time coming up with titles… a simple equation was established = The + Situation.

In “The Letter”, Episode 21, Season 3; Jerry’s girlfriend paints a portrait of Kramer. The result? ‘The Kramer’. And so, my painting, based on a painting created on a show about nothing, is titled, ‘The, The Kramer’.

Read more

The Neon White Hat by Borbay, Jean-Baptiste Greuze’s Re-Mastered

The Neon White Hat by Borbay

Twenty-four years ago, I found myself wandering the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. There, I encountered many magnificent works from the usual suspects… Picasso, Stuart Davis, Pollock, El Greco — by all accounts, a nice little Saturday.

As I dove deeper into the collection, I stumbled upon “The White Hat” by Jean-Baptiste Greuze. This work stopped me dead in my tracks. The painting itself was magnificent. The brush strokes, the tonality, the chiaroscuro. Her gaze is both seductive and haunting. Painted around 1780, history maintains this figure was a figment of the artist’s imagination… an invented woman. I reject this notion. She struck me as real. Visceral.

Free-flowing, revealing outfits were en vogue in the late 1700’s… yes, and still — there is a staggering vulnerability on display. A salacious Mona Lisa of sorts. And so, 24 years later, White Hat found her way to my easel in first Minnesota, then Idaho, and became Re-Mastered.

Read more

Daniels Place — The Majestic Teton River

Daniels Place Teton River Painting by Borbay

During my commute to and from Borbay Studios & Gallery, I often promise to — “get out there and capture Teton Valley’s beauty.”

With my eldest daughter Coraline home-schooling, I found that very moment. As for the location? A generous offer from my good friends Andy and Lisa Daniels presented itself. They allowed us to set-up and paint their breathtaking view of the Teton River.

And so, I set out to challenge myself to create a 40″X48″ painting from life, crafted with a palette knife and loads of Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic Paint.

Read more

Building An Art Empire — Borbay on The American Dreams Show

I had the distinct pleasure of joining Alan Olsen on The American Dreams Show. Mr. Olsen, the Managing Partner of GROCO, Advisors to the Ultra-Affluent; and I met at The Bronze Buffalo Ranch, in glorious Teton Valley.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the interview personally. Worth noting, if you’d prefer to review the podcast transcript — you can view it in-full here.

Before I go, Mr. Olsen recently published a book entitled “Discovering Your Legacy: A Journey of Values, Purpose, and Impact”. It’s a fabulous read — I highly recommend grabbing a copy.

Thank you for having me Alan, and I really appreciate your help with everything Aaron.