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.
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.
Manhattan inspiration found me once again… And, so, before I move to Idaho — I’d like to share my depiction of The World Famous Apollo Theater.
I spent the first 8 years of my adult life in the Upper East Side… so, it would seem fitting that my first painting started and completed in Minnesota would be this Upper East Side Town House. The source image was captured on the 4th of July… two days after my Independence Day — clandestine all around.
It was a beautiful two days painting alongside Gramercy Park. Not only did I explore a new stylistic approach, the Mayor of Gramercy Park — Arlene Harrison said hello, I had a traffic cop flash me his nipple, a dog peed on my easel bag, another dog left me a steaming treat, and, most pleasantly, I ran into Lisa and Co for extemporaneous cocktails in the park.
Sometimes that plein air comes a-callin’. Listen… always. A wonderful crew met at Sheep Meadow in Central Park on a beautiful Memorial Day to celebrate life. Here is what I painted.
I’m delighted to share my first completed painting of 2014: a commission of 55 West 11th Street in Manhattan. Ironically enough, I painted this in Minnesota.
The biggest blizzard in NYC History dumped a record 26.9″ of snow on Central Park. That day, I set out to walk across the park from the Upper East, to the Upper West and back.
Life has been busy in our new hood… Coraline was born here on July 28th, and today, I finally got around to some Stuytown painting action. Many years ago, my great Uncle Mike lived here — such is the case, my Mom has fond memories of the Fountain — so what better to capture on a fine Saturday afternoon?
New Paintings. Works-in-Progress. Insider Art Market Information.
Another newsletter? You got that right. I'll honor and respect your inbox, as if it were my own. I endeavor to share everything happening at Borbay Studios & Gallery. No daily updates. No weekly updates. Simply a message, every month or two... updates on life, creativity, and the journey that began on July 2, 2009. Let's be in touch, as the first leg of my quest reaches completion in 2026. From a studio in my 600-foot Upper East Side apartment living room, to a museum collection. Oh, but friend, that is just the beginning. The road is long, and I am looking for cool, sophisticated company to navigate each challenging turn.
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