2019… oh, what a year… Europe, Whistler, Vegas… portraits… a museum collection… New York press — let’s jump right in my very good friend.

[Friends, due to an undisclosed server issue, my incoming emails are not working at the moment. If you’d like to reach me, try: itsborbay@gmail.com — thank you!]

I had the great pleasure of joining my boy, Rayes Lemmens, in Antwerp… where I painted his portrait. Alas, I completed the painting when the light was poor on my last evening… so this was the best capture I was able to snag… but, rest assured — when I return to Belgium, I’ll secure a superior capture for your viewing pleasure.

For the sake of international diplomacy, I stopped by Belgian Parliament…

And deepened my love for the European experience… even catching-up with good friend, and collector, Owen, once again.

This portrait of the late, great, Jay Aydinalp-Mathews, was an honor to create. Commissioned by his sister Carrie, and brother-in-law, Jason — I was able to create this with Jay directly. It was an incredible experience, and I am at a loss of words to articulate the immense impact Jay and his family made in such a short period of time.  Later in the year, I was in attendance at Jay’s final concert in St. Paul. Singing on, legitimately, one-lung — Jay belted out an electrifying 90-minute-set… one I will never forget.

Revisiting one of my favorite places in the world — I was commissioned by my long-time collector and friend, Debbie Paul, to create this 48″X56″ painting of Central Park.

For reference. I’m about an inch shorter than Shaq… so you get the idea. Oh, Central Park — long winter-time strolls with coffee, thousands of miles run, scores of nights playing ice hockey under the lights at Lasker…

2019 truly was the year-of-the-portrait… this continued, with this painting of dear friend Patricia Barganier. We captured a momentous time in Tricia’s life with this piece, and had an absolute blast doing it.

Continuing with portraiture, but moving back into the familiar spectrum of color — I collaborated with Stan Pajerski and his wife Janice on this painting of Stan. Upon completion, I hand-delivered this piece to Las Vegas… which triggered a beautiful sequence of events, which lead to many more Vegas adventures in 2019.

Living the Dream Factory… Vegas style. A big, huge shout, to my dear friends Brandy and Patrick for many, many exceptionally good times in Vegas this year.

I even got to bring along my gorgeous Erin… whom you can (barely) see in this picture, as we sipped some Hunter S. Thompson inspired whiskey drinks at our beloved Atomic Liquors — yes, that Atomic Liquors.

During that trip, my then portrait subject, and now friend, Bubbles… aka, Mike Smith… recorded and shared this most excellent shout. Thank you Mike.

The boys were cool enough to share my painting of Bubbles on their Insta… it’s like getting two birds stoned at once.

As a thank you… I fired over the only print of my original Bubbles painting to the Smith family. Mike’s son, Vox (an award-winning actor in his own right) — shared on his Insta. Enjoy gang!

As a reminder to the exceptional folks in Manhattan — this piece in New York Lifestyles Magazine emphasized — moving to Idaho doesn’t mean the end of an art career… yet, marks a new beginning.

This first time we saw this Golden Eagle on the Teton Springs golf course… we thought it was a bear. These bad boys are huge… and, so, I painted one to-scale, on this 48″X96″ canvas. This grey-scale work currently hangs at Teton Springs… where I celebrated my second year as artist-in-residence.

The 20-year-Guggenheim series has reached eleven — with this… the ‘Silver Guggenheim’. When this series began… it felt daunting… perhaps too ambitious. Now, as I step beyond the Wednesday of 20-years, and head toward the weekend — I’m cognizant of how important this initiative was to my career. You can see the entire series here.

Two of my #KingsOfHipHop paintings have been acquired by the Universal Hip Hop Museum — my first museum collection. Wayne from the series found a beautiful home with the Oringer Family — for whom I am incredibly grateful on every possible level.

Much black-and-white you may notice — but fear not friend! Neon has not faded from my vision… In fact, I revisited my first creative career — and painted a goalie lid. You can read all about this, and my ill-fated semi-pro hockey tryout… on Jackson Hole News & Guide. Nick Krauss, you rock it beautifully… and, stoked to see the mask is off to a 2-0 start.

And… here is a preview of a 36″X48″ painting of the White Horse Tavern I kicked-off this summer… but had to shelf for a beautiful wave of most appreciated commissions. I’m currently hammering away on this one… and it should either mark the last of 2019… or first of 2020.

2019 was another beautiful year for charitable involvement… one such event was the Hapi Trails Gala, where I painted this neon in an hour, which auctioned for a great cause. It was an honor to contribute to Hapi Trails, The Art Association of Jackson Hole, the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, the Teton Valley Education Foundation, Teton Valley Foundation,  Jackson Giants American Legion Baseball,  Family Safety Network, Teton Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Teton Valley Learning Academy, St. John’s Hospital Foundation, William’s Warriors and Community Entry Services in 2019.

Two of my Victor, Idaho roles include being a board member of of the Victor Urban Renewal Agency; as well as the member of the Victor City Placemakers. One of our big initiatives this year? HeART Park in downtown Victor… wherein we created an art/games space for the community to enjoy, thanks to the largess of a wonderful, anonymous landowner.

I got to play several rounds in Whistler (above) while I was up North for Tasha and Thane’s wedding… and hit up the Vegas links numerous times. My handicap started at 26, went as low at 18, and settled at 21… an improvement from my 2018 starting point of 36… no doubt. Let’s say… I’m not yet ready to leave behind my brushes for the tour.

Speaking of not quitting my day job — you can add my ‘Off-Broadway’ debut in our town’s production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ to the ever-growing, “if you ever told me I would be…” column. My experience playing Fred, Businessman #1 and the Debtor’s Husband left an indelible mark… will it mark the beginning, or end of my ‘acting career’? Only the Ghost of Christmas Future can say…

Thanks to my good friend, writer Ryan Ariano… I once again joined this merry band of shredders at Thanksgiving Bowl for whiskey-infused cider, and plenty of merriment.

Alas, being a fearful man… I snow-shoed up, and down, once again… buoyed by previous experience, and, perhaps, a few strong regional IPA’s.

As we bid 2019 adieu, and charge toward 2020 — I wish to leave you with these simple words — thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I have much to be grateful for… my beautiful family. You wonderful folks. My amazing collectors, mentors, friends, colleagues, partners, community, teammates, fellow actors… thank you. I live my dream because of others, and will spend the rest of my days paying it forward.