BORBAY

My Saturday night meant painting on the streets of the Upper East Side, drinking cold green tea. In other words – mildly different than my normal Saturday night routine.

Ever since I first saw Woody Allen’s Manhattan, I was enchanted by this mainstay of illustrious names, drink and cuisine. Over the years, it has become a must visit destination when I am in need of a slice of New York, served over a stiff cocktail. During my last visit to Elaine’s with Erin and her Mom, Elaine herself sent over two rounds on the house.

As a result, I promised her a piece. Well here it is, and the process shall follow after the jump.

As always, it starts with a Sharpie, line drawing, white hat and a mustache.

Here is the scene. I decided to lay out the structure in twilight, and reserve mixing colors and painting for darkness – with streetlight guidance. A special thank you to my lovely lady Erin, who joined me and took these action snaps.

The marquee was important, so I started there.

Alternating between orange and black, I was able to do my rough, pre-academic sketchy lines beneath the harsh markings of a gigantic dull black Sharpie.

Fully drawn – time to get my paint on. It’s been ages since I have done a night painting, especially outside. This session drew a wonderful, spirited crowd.

Laying down the essentials, starting with the sign and working my way organically around this 16″X20″ sheet of canvas.

The sky is blue, and the horizon point terminates somewhere around 84th street, just beyond the great bright bustle of 86th.

In my nighttime world, the streets are laden with blue-green light, and organic shapes, almost resembling snow. At least, Elaine’s Chef Barry thinks it looked like snow at this point. OK, I agree. Time to Photoshop the ground.

A shot with the work and the scene in context.

As you can see here, I am trying hard. Must. Paint. Straight. Line.

Every time I paint on the streets of Manhattan, I am reinvigorated by the energy of this metropolis. People are passionate about the New York experience, and if I can contribute to that in any way, I am thankful.

So close you can taste the vodka tonic, and feel it spilling on your shirt as you grandly sway your arms to punctuate a point.

With the light painted on the sidewalk, and no accessible bathroom in sight, the painting has drawn to a close. Thank you to Roberto from Elaine’s for the bottled water!

And the final. Here’s hoping you will see this hanging on the walls of Elaine’s in the none-too-distant future.