I’ve wanted to paint this for well over a decade, but I needed time to discover the right approach. Over the past year, I began wondering — what would the Hollywood Sign look like as a giant neon? There was precedent — at the turn of the millennium, the sign was ablaze in color — minus the tubes. So, with this as a general guide… I began to reinvent… on a large scale.
Whenever I return to Manhattan, I find myself wandering the streets… memories, flowing like wine. In November, I met good friend, Tony Black, for a pint of the dark stuff at Old Town. Before leaving, I told the owner, Fitz, “I’m going to paint your sign.”
They say, “do what you say you’re going to do,” so I did… and here was my source image.
My legally issued artistic license allows for interpretation. If you’d like to see the entire process in one minute in time lapse, narrated by yours truly… view this video… more of a photo and commentary person? Read on dear friend.
Sometimes… the connection finds you. While researching neon signs, I discovered the Blue Swallow Motel. My attention immediately turned to the swooping bird… reminiscent of Twitter’s logo. Most 140-character-missives dissolve into the collective unconscious… some, as we now know, can change history.
I’ve been wanting to create a piece exploring Anthony Weiner’s pseudonym, ‘Carlos Danger‘, for ages — and the Blue Swallow triggered a memory. I met Weiner back in 2011, just as his first scandal hit the airwaves. Weiner is an ice hockey goalie, for those who don’t know. Clearly, Anthony had his hands full, so the team needed an emergency substitute keeper — not uncommon in beer league.
So there I am, half suited-up and ready to skate — when a distraught Weiner shows up in long baggy basketball shorts and a rather unseemly tank top. He began whining to the captain, who was sitting next to me getting his skates on. Needing the “stress relief”, he pleaded for the crease. I told the captain, “your team, your choice. If I bounce, you need to give me 30 bucks and a six pack.”
Well, the captain paid up, I got undressed and went home. The next day, I received a call, “sorry man, I wish you played, we lost 12-3. I’m trying to get a municipal contract out of him, so you know how it goes.” Even beer league hockey is ruled by politics.
I digress. Here is the dangerous process from start-to-finish captured in time lapse, with a soundtrack courtesy of my man MH the Verb. Read on for the creative process…
At their root, all signs exist to provide information. Some hope to offer a warm welcome. Great signs do way more, they evoke emotion and often memories.
For those of you in the community of people who had the privilege of spending a summer, or more, at Camp Echo Lake in upstate Warrensburg, NY, there are a series of signs that, when seen in sequence, take each and every one of you from happiness to bliss.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jason T. Borbet | +1.646.469.6496 | jason@borbay.com
NEW YORK, NY – October 25, 2016 — Time Out Magazine’s Most Creative New Yorker, Borbay, is returning to Manhattan for the inaugural Accessible Art Fair New York at The National Arts Club. Selected by a star-studded jury, including representatives from Sotheby’s, Gagosian Gallery, Christie’s Collectrium and artnet News — Borbay will exhibit three paintings in his electric, 80% sold-out neon series.
“Manhattan will always hold a special place in my heart. My girls were born in our apartment on East 20th Street, so returning to share my new series in Gramercy Park represents the best kind of reverse commute.”
The Accessible Art Fair New York runs from November 1-25th, with VIP Opening Reception’s on November 1st and 2nd.
In August, I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with local landowner and thespian, Harrison Ford, at the Murie Ranch for the Spirit of Conservation Awards. My contribution was a commissioned, original painting — which was live auctioned by Larry Flynn to benefit the merged Teton Science Schools and Murie Center. Added bonus? Coraline is now a student at Teton Science.
If you’d like to see the entire work come together in one minute… check this time lapse.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jason T. Borbet | +1.646.469.6496 | jason@borbay.com
JACKSON, WY – June 2, 2016 — Time Out Magazine’s Most Creative New Yorker and Teton Valley transplant, Borbay, will debut his electric light paintings at the Art Association Gallery located at 240 South Glenwood St., Jackson, WY 83002, from June 18 – July 30, 2016. The acrylic paintings showcased explore the interaction of natural and man-made light, in dazzling Manhattan and Jackson locations. Read more
I decided to invent a neon painting. The concept: a cowboy on a bucking horse, swangin’ his Indiana Jones style whip, atop electric grass, with the mighty Tetons far off in the distance… my result? “The Neon Cowboy” — not to be confused with “The Electric Horseman“.
The neon train continues with this 14″X18″ canvas of Fedora — a West Village staple (now gratuity free).
This painting wasn’t going to happen. I was focused on moving our family from Minnesota to Idaho, when I completed packing five days early. A blank canvas taunts a painter like a blank page tortures the writer — so, I got to work.
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