Tag: Tom Hessel

November 14, 2024

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

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.

October 2, 2015

Going Nomad Part Two — Minnetonka to Jackson Hole

Following a beautiful decade in Manhattan, we decided to become nomads. Our first sojourn transpired in Minnetonka, Minnesota. For three glorious months, we painted, we fair’d, and yes, beautiful people… we bowled.

July 27, 2015

July 2015 Update: Guggenheim #7 and We’re Officially Nomadic

Hello Dear Friend — Two weeks ago, we stuffed a 17-foot-truck, turned in the keys to our Manhattan apartment and hit the road. Our nomadic adventure has begun with a three-month stay in Minnetonka, Minnesota. On September 30th, we fly to Jackson Hole for another adventure — but here’s what’s happening right now…

June 1, 2015

Going Nomad

On July 8th, our two-year lease expires, but we aren’t renting another apartment. Instead, Erin, Coraline, Vega and I are leaving Manhattan and going nomad. Here’s the story… beginning right after college.

May 18, 2015

Painting of Santana’s on Little Exuma, The Bahamas

Santanas Exuma Painting by BorbayIntroducing my final Art Exuma painting — the world famous Santana’s Grill Pit, located on Little Exuma. After Erin drove across the island to have lunch here with Jeanne, my Mother-In-Law, she returned letting me know this was a spot to paint. She was, as she often is, 100% on the money.

January 2, 2015

2014 — Year in Review on Canvas and Beyond

2014 was my finest year in every possible way. Coraline crawled, walked, ran… I traveled extensively to Jackson Hole, Vegas, LA, Chicago, Montreal, Vancouver, Miami, The Bahamas and Minnesota. It was a record year for sales, and, most importantly, the artistic fulfillment was deep.

December 20, 2014

December Update: Serena, Boss, Babies

Dear Friends, Family, Collectors and Fans — 2014 has been my finest year, and I owe you a debt of gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The easel has been on fire…

December 26, 2013

2013 — Borbay’s Year in Review

Oh what a glorious year — my finest, in fact, even better than 2012. Let’s get right to the heart of this thing.
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October 31, 2013

Minnesota, Neil’s, Patch, Heavy, More

It’s Halloween, and here is what’s happening in my world… I’m back from Minnesota, and working on a new canvas… Neil’s Coffee Shop. It will join my growing ‘Back to the Futurism’ series. In fact, I’ve painted Neil’s before, but from a different angle and style.

October 9, 2013

Grain Belt Beer Sign Painting, A Minnesota Landmark

Standing on Nicollet Island in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a legend. Built in 1941, the Grain Belt Beer Sign has been through a great deal… moving, going dark, being sold, vandalized, trivialized, lionized — and even more words with ized’ attached.