Moving out West from Manhattan, if I set-up shop and began painting pastoral cowboy scenes… they’d (literally) run me out of town, on a rail. No. That wouldn’t work. So… over the past two years… I’ve been trying to identify my vision of the West, through the lens of the East. Finally — the epiphany — Western Cowboys from the silver screen, in front of famous NYC neons. My first? Gary Cooper, from The Westerner, on his horse, in front of the Seinfeld Diner — Monk’s (actually, Tom’s Restaurant).

The narrative? Gary arrives at Monk’s, unannounced, for a drop-in with Jerry. Jerry offers Gary a bowl of cereal. Gary offers Jerry a smoke. They both decide this isn’t working out (it’s not like Gary asked for help moving, right Keith Hernandez?)… so Gary jumps on his horse, in search a gunfight… something ‘The Westerner’ was missing.

https://www.facebook.com/borbay/videos/1648992768517702/

Check the entire process inside a hot minute, soundtrack courtesy of Gato Loco. And, pardner, do read-on for more process.

The journey begins with two shapes, and a splash of Cadmium Red Medium.

There would be much darkness in this painting… dare I say, chiaroscuro? And so, the second tone was dark from the start. And, of course, the letters were popped in some Cad Orange.

Identifying the key shadows… the painting is 40″X40″, and since I paint with tiny brushes… it takes time to lay out the sections.

Banging out the neon tubes, adding highlights to Cooper and his steed.

It’s always helpful to take the painting outside. No matter how bright your studio lights… nothing beats Mother Nature’s spotlight.

Painting the mysterious tones of the building… at night… but city night, which is always reflecting light from every direction.

That polished blue metal… so shiny! Finally digging into Gary, identifying key shadows… making moves.

Working the interior of the diner. I went back-and-forth, trying to figure out how much detail should be included.

In fact, at one point, I painted Jerry into the background… yet, still, as most of my location paintings display no people, I wanted to retain that eerie silence. I don’t mean dystopian… just empty.

This was the fun part… really carving into the jacket, painting the details of Gary’s horse… capturing the reflected light on Gary’s face. Lighting the cigarette…

One final look, before adding the finishing touches.

And BOOM! When Gary Met Jerry… It’s been a long time since I’ve created a deliberate, cohesive series. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this excited about a body of work… up next? Clint Eastwood in front of Fanelli’s… stand by.

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