BORBAY

Sometimes you pick the subject, and sometimes the subject picks you. Steve Jobs’ incendiary Flash missive and the resulting headlines pointed my easel toward the Apple Store, on 59th Street. This picture, as mentioned in my last update, is both a work in progress and an exploration of refining the unfinished.

I’m not sure who this gentleman is, but, it is almost impossible to take a photograph of the Apple Store without someone walking by. This is my vantage point from across the street, in front of the fountain by the Plaza Hotel (of Home Alone 2, Lost in New York fame.)

After the jump, the process to date, cops with AK-47′s, the dreaded Sex and the City tour and much, much more.

Getting the party started with a yellow outline. The tree overhead is providing some shade, which was a good thing, since it was about 95 degrees.

Beginning with the collage, in specific angles as dictated by the directional arrows. Not sure if President Obama should be slamming the iPad and technology – particularly since his campaign manipul… mobilized the tech-savvy masses through an aggressive, ground-breaking social media marketing push. While we are at it Mr. President, where should Lebron should go next?

I digress, a well dressed gentleman saunters past the Apple Store – which, by the way, is a mid-day big hat, huge sunglasses and track-suit celebrity magnet.

Really starting to build the foundation of this canvas, with two areas already singled out for exclusion.

Ah, the staunch red second round of outlines. There is something electric the way red plays with newsprint, don’t you think?

Word is there are graffiti artists lurking about, hence the security detail.

Working around the color wheel, starting with red, yellow and blue.

Beginning to focus on depth perception with the introduction of a burnt umber. During my tenure at The Trump Organization, we spent nearly 72 hours straight in the GM building (background) on a loan closing. I will never forget taking 20 minute naps on the floor under the board room table. Ah, memories.

In context, as lines for the Sex and the City tour begin to form. Shudder.

My easel was drowned in a sea of perfume, fabulousness and tales of boss-grabbing happy hours (seriously.)

Starting to see the image forming… working on some refined line work. I don’t believe in using rulers, because I feel there is an authenticity in free-hand lines which are part of the impression.

A candy store.

Working around the canvas, I sometimes have to flip the picture upside down to work more upright. That’s not against the rules, and, really, there are no rules.

I made the mistake of listening to Jay Z’s Blueprint 3 while painting on the third day – that album is like audio-crack. Empire State of Mind gives me an inflated sense of status and bank account.

Working the shadows into the steps… foreground in the hizzouse.

Highly pastel now… muted greys and whites will be added in during today’s session.

The latest. I will be out painting today on 5th avenue, feel free to follow along on Twitter.