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.

Painters Ari Lankin and Borbay are teaming up with talented artists and great organizations to benefit school children of Haiti for one night of festive holiday philanthropy.  Each artist will create a four hour painting during the festive toy drive on the night of December 17th, 7-11pm.  Proceeds from the paintings will benefit the Hope For Them Foundation.

If you would like to spend your Saturday the 17th,  from 7-11 PM watching Lankin and Borbay paint, while rocking out to music by DJ Super Jaimie and a live performance by Kate Nauta, sipping fantastic cocktails courtesy of St. Germain and Evening Land Vineyards, enjoying hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Alison Eighteen — all for a great cause, please RSVP here.

***Act now for 2 for 1 admission with this prepaid special.

Lankin and Charity

Lankin has live-painted for charities including Broadway Cares NY, Broadway Cares Las Vegas.  Additionally, he has donated work for auction to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Doug Varone and Dancers, and Jewish National Fund.

Borbay and Charity

Borbay has live-painted for charities including Broadway Cares NY,Broadway Cares Las Vegas and We Love Japan. Additionally, Borbay has donated work for auction to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Children of Armenia Foundation, A.C.E. and The Skin Cancer Foundation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - HopeForThem, Edeyo, and im.material Global are excited to unite the worlds of art and philanthropy in a festive holiday toy drive.

The toy drive will be on December 17th, 2011 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm at Gallery 151, 132 West 18^th Street, hosted by Ines Ferre of CNN, benefiting the school children of Haiti.

Inspired cocktails by St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and artisan wines from Evening Land Vineyards. Delicious food from Alison Price Becker and Chef Robert Gurvich, soon to open the new restaurant Alison Eighteen.

Music by DJ Super Jaimie.

Live performance by upcoming singer and Hollywood star Kate Nauta; best known for her performance in the movie Transporter 2.

Live painting by Borbay and Ari Lankin. Exclusive paintings by William Quigley and Jean-Baptiste Frantz to be auctioned off live, in addition to a Michael Jackson signed book.

For admission to the event, guests will be required to bring an unwrapped toy (valued under $25) with an additional $30 donation; or, to donate $50 without a toy.

The HopeForThem Foundation is a non-profit organization that delivers aid to disaster-stricken areas around the world. After the catastrophic earthquake that hit Haiti in January of 2010, founder Mike Jean committed his organization to providing relief to his home country.

Unik Ernest and the Edeyo Team is a non-profit made up of dedicated business, medical and educational professionals.  They are currently re-building the Joyous Heart School which was demolished in the January 2010 earthquake.  He has devoted his energy and talents to educating and enlightening the world about Haiti, bringing hope to the future of these disadvantaged children.

im.material global is a non-for-profit group that builds strong and sustainable communities in developing nations. Founder Patrick Simeon leads a team currently building a village in Haiti to accommodate the homeless people of the post-earthquake devastation.

The exhibitions and events at Gallery 151 would not be possible without the generous support and sponsorship of Michael Namer and his company Alfa Development , Chelsea Green at 151 West 21^st Street, and Alison Eighteen.

Produced by: Mike Jean, Clark De-Marcus, Cole Blumstein and Ben Lang

Press passes: Jenny J. Kim jenny@hopeforthem.org - (860)580-9646

Tickets: www.hopeforthem.org/toys or http://hopeforthemtoydrive2011.charityhappenings.org/

The Details -

Uniting the Worlds of Art and Philanthropy

For the Children of Haiti

Dec. 17, 2011 from 7-11pm

Gallery 151 (132 W. 18th)

Hosted by Ines Ferre from CNN

Music by DJ Super Jaimie

Live Performance by Kate Nauta

Live Painting by Borbay & Ari Lankin

Cocktails by St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

Wine by Evening Lands Vineyards

Hors D?oeuvres by Alison Eighteen Restaurant

Admission:

$30 with a toy
$50 without a toy
(Toys must be unwrapped & valued under $25)

RSVP or Make a Donation at http://www.hopeforthem.org/toys

For Press Pass, contact Jenny

Jenny@hopeforthem.org
860.580.9646