The Flyers playoff run of 2010 was two wins short of one of the greatest in all professional hockey.  Danny Briere continued to find the net and create incredible chemistry on the ice.  This painting is inspired by one of his goal celebrations during a 30-point surge in 23 playoff games.

Process and thoughts…

A quick sketch of his iconic uppercut to gauge the space.

Had the pose, but had no idea how the rest of the canvas would develop.  Discovery is a large part of my process.

The only way to find out where you are going is to get there.  Reacting to the painting as it develops.

After filling most of the canvas with orange, white, and blue a little black to set the figure.

Some times you have to go backwards to go forwards.  Hey Danny, sorry for engulfing your head in fire.

The sound and reaction of something hot hitting water and it instantly turning to steam is similar to that of 20,000 fans on their feet.

A quick rectangle to help me ground the figure in the atomosphere.  I was thinking about the reproduced image.  We use them to remember things.  Collective and individual memory is cultivated from videos and photographs.  Rectangular media.

Time to get rid  the blue except for the ice and a little bit in the glass.

Get Flyered up! Danny Briere lights the lamp.  The red trim and the yellow dasher make an appearance.

Can you see any subliminal messages in the flames?  There’s a Flyers symbol, and a “D”…

A Flyers symbol, his initials (D and B), and the number 48.  His uppercut fracturing the lens of reality all around him.

Danny I don’t mind if you take it easy during the 2012 season, but unleash the beast come playoffs.

1 of 30 Danny Briere | 18 x 24 inches | graphite, acrylic, and oil on canvas | 2011 | Available

click for larger image

When the game is on the line, especially in the playoffs, Briere is a lethal weapon.  He probably has the best tight game in the league, and very sneaky. Boom!

Next up…. Claude Giroux #28.

This painting is available for purchase.  I am currently accepting a limited number of new commissions.   If you are interested in a sports player/moment commission, or different type of commission contact me directly.

Recent Hockey Paintings

Chris Pronger | oil, acrylic, graphite on canvas | 12 x 12 inches | 2011

Jaromir Jagr | acrylic, oil, pen, collage, and cloth on canvas | 11 x 14 inches | 2011 | Ari Lankin

Immortal Captain | oil on canvas | 30 x 30 inches | 2011 | Ari Lankin

Lord Stanley's Castle | 30 x 30 inches | oil on canvas |2011 | Ari Lankin

Cause: Hope For Them Foundation’s Holiday Toy Drive

Date: 12/17/2011

Unscripted shot of Borbay losing his religion.  That’s him in the spotlight, losing his religion.  R.E.M.

Me becoming one with my brushes before the painting starts.

Borbay on the right. Lankin on the left.  About 20 minutes into the paintings, before Gallery 151 got packed with philanthropic revelers.

Only process shot I took, at this point I figured out the palette and composition.  I was feeding off the lively energy of the venue, thoughts of hope, teamwork, joy, celebration, happiness, and helping.  Check out the Getty Images link at the bottom for earlier shots of my painting.

Right after I signed the painting I added a few touches to the upper left as up-and-coming photographer Alex Gurvich stealthily snapped this photo.

Hope For Them | 18 x 24 inches | acrylic on canvas | 2011

And with about 20 minutes remaining it’s finished, my first abstract live painting at an event. Click image for a larger version.

Borbay’s live painting, Old Tyme NYC:

Click image below to see his interesting process and recap.

Old Tyme NYC | 20 x 20 inches | acrylic and graphite on canvas | 2011 | Borbay

Check out some more pics of the event, including early stages of my painting that are considerably different than the final product, Borbay in action, and a healthy dose of sexiness.