Guest Post: @borbay

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I was born Jason T. Borbet, but go by Borbay; I am an artist. Accordingly, I understand the value of collecting art. When selling a picture, you are selling the artist, the experience of the works’ creation, the meaning(s) — both obvious and subtle. This is the equation I’ve used time-and-time again to build my career (and bank account).

Selling work is a thrill for the artist — but it wasn’t until I began to collect myself that I have come to appreciate this special relationship. It goes beyond the thrill of the chase: it’s beautiful, you want it. Maybe it’s out of your league or price range, so you try to forget it — but cannot. Your mind drifts to the picture, it’s surface, colors, composition. Wheels turning — you must act. So you schedule a studio visit… see the work in person, perhaps for the second, or third time. Finally, it’s: “I must have this canvas”. So you put down real, actual money for it… and it’s yours.

That said, here’s the hook: when living with a piece of art, you come to know it… intimately. As the light shifts, so too does the picture. In low light, a friendly painting may register as sinister… an object on your wall now takes on the undulating shifts of a person. There are moments when you linger, staring into the surface as if it possesses great truths, or knows something about you that you don’t. Your collection bares witness to your life, and becomes part of your identity.

Here is a window into several of the works in my burgeoning collection…

This is a prized work: “WMW02″ by Jeremy Penn, which is part of his haunting William Murphy series.

This portrait by Lora Murphy Sanders is a perfect example of plausible reality — despite exaggerated and stylized features,  you completely believe this woman.

My wife and me spotted this gem at Paul Zepeda‘s first NYC show and snapped it up immediately.

These two beautiful works on paper were created by Leah Keller… her spontaneous drip paintings dry into a final form long after the artists’ final touch has been applied.

This work comes from the mind of Ryan Seslow, a professor at Iona College. The juxtaposition of black and white with vibrant colors stimulate.

From Sacha Baumann — “Dripping Damn”. It’s part Barbara Kruger with a shout to the abstract expressionists…

Earlier this year, I commissioned former college classmate, watercolorist and published author Sarah Glidden to recreate one of my favorite pictures of my wife and I.

These fine kicks by Ted Mikulski were scored in an auction… they are my size, but I will never wear them.

Two years ago, during an artist exchange event entitled “Art Swap”, organized by Dave Pringle, I was the fortunate recipient of this fine portrait created by Kat Ostrow.

I’ll close with this two-sided collage “dream board” created by my wife. So far, a great deal of these dreams have come true… here’s looking forward to the NYC Townhouse and a Roomful of Rothkos.