This is the second painting I did after the biblical flu that had me sidelined with a fever for 9 days.  Between tripping out on a fever, lucid fever induced dreams, over twenty movies including the whole Twin Peaks series, and not being able to paint I was so ready for this painting to pour out of me.

As usual with my abstract work, I dive in without any preconceived image…

A big yellow amorphous shape, why not?

I kept it very loose and tried to surprise myself.  Some strong lines to counteract the organic yellow shape.

New colors and shapes seem to have individualized spirits.

Two strips along the top and the bottom, allude to analog film.  This was influenced by watching so many movies and my experience with photography/film.  Aesthetically it holds the diverse forms from spilling out of the top and bottom of the canvas.

A canvas is a window to another world.  Add light and the image dances. The individual forms start to gather together and a large central form develops.

At this point I’m exploring the organic forms and fleshy feeling.  This is balanced by the architectural feeling of the crisp horizontal strips on the top and bottom of the canvas.  The self, the brain, and our instantaneous digital connection to the rest of the world….oops, I was just thinking out loud.

There was a lot of destroying and rebuilding while making this painting.  I had to take things away to see if they were needed.  When I rebuilt them I already had a knowledge of the purpose they served.  Also what was was missing in their absence. 

The lower forms are now shining through the strip on the bottom of the canvas.  Some people wish their life is a movie.  If you ask me, everyone’s life is a movie.  Some people turn their projector light up  brighter than others.

View With A Room | oil on canvas | 30 x 40 inches | 2011

This post is brought to you by Borbay via Borbay.com

AUCTION NOW LIVE

New York, NY – July 21, 2011 — On Sunday, June 19th, Broadway Bares put on two exceptional(ly titillating) shows at the Roseland Ballroom, which raised (to date) a record breaking $1,103,072.00 for Equity Fights AIDS. Six paintings were created that night and are up for auction, are you ready to get your acquisition on?

Full disclosure, I didn’t strip down while painting (mostly to protect the fine patrons of the show(s)), I did, however, recap our evening at the Roseland Ballroom, as well as Broadway Bares, Las Vegas. If you have any questions about the works, don’t be shy.

Read Ari Lankin’s recap of Broadway Bares: 21 in NYC, as well as Broadway Bares: 2 Hot from Las Vegas.

Get some (art), after the jump.

Bid on Keegan Albrecht #1.

Bid on Keegan Albrecht #2.

Bid on Ari Lankin #1.

Bid on Ari Lankin #2.

Bid on Borbay #1.

Bid on Borbay #2.

The resulting four paintings are now being auctioned with all proceeds supporting  Broadway Cares / Equity Fights Aids.

You can bid now, the auction ends July 27th.  Remember all proceeds go to support the foundation.

Ari Lankin:

Lankin Painting From First  Show

Lankin Painting From Second Show

Borbay:

Borbay Painting From First Show

Borbay Painting From Second Show

The addition of live painting fit perfectly.  The show was called Masterpiece and had many great art historical references.

Broadway Bares proves once again that art is the sexiest thing in New York: looking at it, making it, talking about it, making love to it.

Let me take you there…

Two sold out back to back shows = early que.  Shot outside of Roseland as I arrive two hours before the first show.

Borbay and I meet up for a quick picture as we wait for the first show to start.

Getting a little more excited as the doors open for the first show.    We flipped a coin to see who would start at which vantage point.   The two vantage points were very different.  In this picture you can see a tiny Borbay setting up in the corner on the mezzanine ledge across the venue from me.  We decided to use the bigger canvas for the first painting.  The consensus was it would be better to go hard right from the beginning.

A shot from my first vantage point, just left of the stage in the elevated VIP area.  With some time to kill and a strong backlight showing through the canvas I decided to paint the canvas black.  Right before the show we got hooked up with a clamp light.  It’s a big help when you can see what you are painting.

No painting allowed until the show starts, but some valuable time is saved by laying out a preliminary palette.  This palette was inspired by the energy in the building and the promise of exposed flesh.  Amusing text messages were sent back and forth across the venue while waiting for the first show to start.

Borbay takes a shot of me mixing paint (center of the photo) before the beginning of the first show.

A finished shot of painting number one after an action packed 75 minute show.  Really dynamic show full of dancing, witty dialogue, sexual overtones and a beautiful set, or maybe a few beautiful sets.  In addition to the inspiring show, I would like to thank the group of loving patrons that cheered me on, and the friendly barista for quenching my thirst with unlimited adult beverages.

Painting number two.  New location on the ledge of the mezzanine.  Quite possibly the coolest place in Roseland to paint from.  Not only was I floating high above from a perfect vantage point, I was directly under a giant air conditioner.

Feeling the sexual energy from the first show I focused my attention on recreating a scantily clad man, and one erotically outfitted woman.  A rabid sold out crowd of over 3,000 rocked the house during the second show adding to the energy of my painting.

Borbay decides on a more architecturally anchored composition inspired by the set.  Read his great recap here.

A very low lit photo right after the final curtain call.  This painting has an expressive quality and a textured surface.  The set was alive with references to major artists from 18th-20th centuries.  The linear aspect of the background is referencing the mature work Piet Mondrian.

My hands after the second painting.

It’s been a pleasure supporting Broadway Cares.  It’s an important cause with a wonderful group of people involved.  Big thanks to Michael Graziano, Jerry Mitchell, Paula Caselton, and Sheila Buford.

Support a tremendous organization and bid on these special paintings.

You may remember in April we painted at the sister event in Las Vegas, Broadway Bares: 2 Hot.

LANKIN

Broadway Bares 21 #1 | acrylic on canvas | 14 x 28 inches | 2011 | Ari Lankin

Broadway Bares 21 #2 | acrylic on canvas | 15 x 11 inches | 2011 | Ari Lankin

BORBAY

Broadway Bares 21 #1 | acrylic on canvas | 14 x 28 inches | 2011 | Borbay

2011 Broadway Bares #2 NYC | acrylic on canvas | 15 x 11 inches | 2011 | Borbay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY – June 16th, 2011 — BROADWAY BARES XXI: MASTERPIECE will be held on Sunday, June 19th with two performances only – at 9:30 pm & Midnight – at Roseland Ballroom, 239 West 52nd Street in New York. A benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, BROADWAY BARES XXI: MASTERPIECE will offer up a modern-day burlesque show packed with Broadway stars baring their delicious human canvas.  The show is directed by Josh Rhodes, and the executive producer is the legendary Jerry Mitchell.

The 21st annual Broadway Bares benefit features more than 200 dancers and actors on their night off from Broadway shows.  Artist’s Ari Lankin and Borbay will paint impromptu works of art inspired by the show.  While watching the performance for the first time, they will paint for the duration of the show, stopping when the final curtain drops. The resulting canvas’ will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefitting the foundation.  Check back after the show for the finished painting and where you can bid.

Photo by Andrew Eccles.

About the Show

It’s been said that “all art is erotic” and 200 of Broadway’s sexiest bodies will prove that to be true as the 21st edition of Broadway Bares takes you inside an auction too hot for Sotheby’s and Christie’s. The most delectable dancers in New York will emulate the art world’s seductive nudes and give life to history’s sultriest sculptures.  Handle these masterpieces with care or fig leaves, sunflowers and water lilies just might fall off into the crowd. Get your bidding paddles ready before these Broadway bodies of art are “going, going, gone.”

This year’s Bares will feature Tony Award winner Beth Leavel (Baby It’s You) singing an original opening number, “Going, Going, Gone,” written by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar. Tony nominee Patina Miller (Sister Act) will perform the finale, “The Final Masterpiece.” Other special guests include Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Judith Light (Lombardi), Tony nominee Rory O’Malley (The Book of Mormon), Emmy winner Jim Parsons (The Normal Heart), Tony and Emmy winner David Hyde Pierce (La Béte), Tony winner Roger Rees (The Addams Family), Tony nominee Christopher Sieber (La Cage aux Folles) and the always provocative New York Post columnist Michael Riedel.

Join in the fun now by helping your favorite performer raise money in our annual Broadway Bares Strip-a-thon where fine art meets mighty fine bodies and every dollar counts.

Broadway Bares XXI: Masterpiece is produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, executive produced by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Catch Me If You Can, Legally Blonde) and will be directed by Josh Rhodes (Sondheim: The Birthday Concert, The Drowsy Chaperone, Working at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago).

Broadway Bares combines the naughtiness of burlesque and the razzle-dazzle of Broadway. The event features the hottest male and female dancers on Broadway and has become one of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ signature events. The first Broadway Bares in 1992 featured seven dancers performing choreographed stripteases on a bar and $8,000. In the 20 editions so far, Broadway Bares has collectively raised more than $7.5 million.

via Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids

Lankin signing a live painting as the performance ends at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

About Ari Lankin

Ari Lankin explores the zeitgeist, and timeless ideas connected to the human condition. He is known for painting on location, at live events, and conceptual abstraction linked to emotions, nature and technology.  Lankin collaborates in a wide variety of projects including: design, apparel, film, performance, and street art.  He designed a shoe for adidas and assisted Tino Sehgal during his solo show at The Guggenheim Museum.  “Life is my muse. We make things with our hands, ideas, and experiences. The creativity travels with us wherever we go.  Life is art”  Ari lives and works in Manhattan.

About Borbay

Upper East Side artist Borbay has painted edgy portraits and famed locations around the world, including The Guggenheim, TriBeCa Grand, Woolworth Building, Elaine’s, Chrysler Building, Hancock Tower (Chicago), Runaway Bay (Jamaica) and San Marco Cathedral(Milan). His architectural impressionist collage paintings have been featured in Time Out New York , Wall Street Journal Japan, New York Post, Whitewall, The Huffington Post, The Source and more.

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Click here for Sketch of the Day Archive

I’m reposting Borbay’s piece for Max’s Kansas City. Below is his response to: What Art Means to Me. Thanks to Borbay for giving us an uncensored poetic response. Learn more about Borbay.

For Max’s Kansas City | What Art Means to Me, A Visual Diagram and Semi-Poetic Diatribe

By Jason Borbay

Art is Freedom,

to be overtly commercial like Andy,

Warhol, yet tortured, and full of drugs ala Basquiat,

Painting the Guggenheim once a year,

for 20 years, with different grades of Facial Hair,

In plain sight, in plein air,

Art is Manhattan,

Parties real and fake,

Collaging a surface, any surface, being Borbay,

Adding Paint, landing Commissions,

Making Money, creating a job,

hitting the Blog,

generating Press through the Photography of my work,

Schmoozing with the big bucks,

celebrating Sales, sealing smart Contracts,

a Hustle Jay Z would respect,

Cocktails to celebrate,

hitting my Up or Downtown Studio,

crafting my Image, out to obliterate,

the Myth of the starving artist,

Traveling to paint and deliver paintings,

a puff of the Tangerine, a glass of Scotch,

Living my Life, the life of an artist, like Jasper Johns,

only different,

meeting Collectors through the Wall Street Journal,

Japan, shameless self-promotion on Twitter,

Staring down a Rauschenberg, any Rauschenberg will do,

back to the Tangerine, out for some Neo Rauch,

more hustle on Facebook, some gritty Bearden collage work,

Meticulous Schwitters creations,

out to Educate the world and artists,

support and love from my fiancé Erin,

Any movie by Woody Allen, pre 1990,

Fellow artists I love, Penn, Lankin, Hessel, Danko, Seslow, Sanders, Zepeda, more,

Balancing my life with ice hockey,

Taking in, admiring, or creating film,

Painting a wooden bunny with Mom at age four,

Time Out New York and my man Tony D pimpin my wares,

Striving for anonymous Celebrity,

A salute to Mrs. Livesey, my high school art teacher,

the brilliant, inspirational and textural New York Post,

incredible support from Josh and the team at BevForce.

My life as a professional location artist.

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SUPERNATURAL EVENT: PAINTING RISES FROM THE GRAVE ON MAY 22, 2010

NEW YORK, NY–Many listless art critics have glibly declared: “painting is dead.” Another offered $10,000 for proof of expiration. On Saturday, May 22, 2010, BORBAY, Jeremy Penn and Ari Lankin offer evidence to the contrary. Opening for one-night-only in TriBeCa, Painting Resurrected will exhume eighteen contrasting paintings, supernaturally confirming – the demise of painting has been greatly exaggerated. Myths will be shattered, precedents will be set and cocktails will be served.

Find out more on the official event site, and RSVP on Facebook.

Location: 393 Broadway, 3^rd Floor, New York, NY 10013 | TriBeCa

Date: Opening Gala: Saturday, May 22^nd, 2010 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Private Viewings by Appointment: Sunday May 23^rd, 2010 – Tuesday May 25^th, 2010

Admittance: Open to the public

About Jeremy Penn

Jeremy Penn was born in 1979 in New York and studied Fine Art at both the University of Maryland and Pratt Institute. Penn’s paintings are best known for using color to elicit an emotional response. His works have been exhibited internationally and have gained acclaim from curators at museums such as The Museum of Modern Art, New York and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. In 2009, Penn was honored as the “Featured Artist” for New York’s first Freedom Week. In 2010, Penn’s art was awarded both ASFD’s Pinnacle Award and the ADEX Gold Medal. His works have been prized by notable collectors, including the Crown Prince of Dubai. Energized by the caprices of popular culture, Penn’s recent work explores the evolution of celebrity.

About Ari Lankin

Ari Lankin was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia in 1980. He received his BFA in Painting and Economics from Brandies University. Although a wide traveler and avid road tripper, it is Manhattan that has been his home and inspiration as an artist, fueling his investigative and intuitive approach to painting. His concerns with systems, dreams, chaos and order, realities, and relational flow can be read in his work. The flux of these influences affords multiple interpretations, and allow for both moments of recognition and uncertainty. Ultimately he is concerned with risk taking, wisdom, process and chance rather than emulating a preconceived final image.

About BORBAY

Voted Time Out New York’s Most Creative New Yorker in 2009, Upper East Side artist BORBAY has painted famed landmarks around the world. On display will be BORBAY’s collage paintings, comprised of New York Post headlines and layer upon layer of acrylic paint. Driven to capture the actuality of society, this series visually displays the paradox of love, lust, murder, sex, sports, betrayal, triumph, religion, rape and politics in one place… concepts any person reading a daily newspaper will see juxtaposed without a second thought. His works have been acquired for private and corporate collections around the world.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Contact: Jason Borbay | info@paintingsresurrected.com | Phone Number Provided Via Email

The 2007 body of work started when I moved to East Harlem on New Year’s Eve.  I knew nothing about the neighborhood other than it provided me with a short commute to my job at the Guggenheim Museum.  It was a big change in my life and in my practice. I had brand new studio with more space than I ever had, and the freedom to work in seclusion. It is no coincidence the early paintings in this series relate to some of my signature moments in earlier years. There was a big shift in my practice to make my painting and my life enmeshed more than ever. I worked on multiple canvases at all times, searching, keeping exploration as open as possible. I learned to value the evolution of process over a specific technique.