Another Saturday chasing neon at Four Seasons Jackson Hole… cannot beat the live painting experience! This week, we had live music, cocktails and a visit from artist/entrepreneur extraordinaire — Haley Badenhop…
With time comes change. Recently, the Teton Theatre marquee was removed, making way for a new pizza joint (mmmm… pizza). And, so, as a man with great admiration for signs… I decided to spend my Saturday evening as Artist-In-Residence at Four Seasons Jackson Hole painting this classic, decommissioned slice of Jackson.
My third session as Artist-In-Residence at the luscious Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole was quite a night! While painting the Welcome to Teton Village sign, I had some star-studded company… and even a little help from my friends.
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…
I had the great honor of painting the late Kenneth Francis Begasse’s portrait. Affectionately known as “Senior”, the piece was commissioned by Michael Sanzen, partner at Concentric Healthcare Experience, as a gift for Senior’s family. The work and process were transformed into a beautiful mural, which was unveiled at their TriBeCa headquarters last week.
Introducing my latest painting — Bill Shelton, in full stride on the beach in Mustique. I had the good fortune of meeting Bill through friend and collector Gareth Evans.
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.
Please allow me to introduce my latest portrait: Samantha Niemi. This painting is part of an exciting series commissioned by Sam’s Dad, Peter — here’s an excerpt from his blog:
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