Anthony Bordain
A modern nomad reimagined through portrait painting and layered construction — created for the Wilson family as a tribute to exploration, reflection, and connection.
The
Inspiration
The portrait was inspired by a quiet black-and-white photo of Anthony Bourdain that captured a more reflective side of him — thoughtful, observant, and human.
The background was inspired by the city paintings of Paul Kenton — especially the rain, movement, reflections, and cinematic energy of New York at night.
The Process
The portrait was painted by hand on canvas using a custom blended 8-color grayscale acrylic gradient. The background was created digitally, then printed onto an adhesive canvas material.
The painted canvas is then hung in alignment over the larger background using my 2-piece Alignment System — creating an immersive, dimensional effect where both layers visually connect into a single work of art.
The
Result
The finished piece brings the hand-painted portrait and layered city background together into a single installation designed to feel immersive, dimensional, and atmospheric.
As light and perspective shift throughout the room, the artwork changes with it — somewhere between a painting, an environment, and a memory.
The Reveal
The final installation of the two-piece portrait and background inside the Spears home. Commissioned by Eric Wilson after a suggestion from Catie Spears, the video captures the alignment, placement, and reveal of the finished piece as it comes together in its permanent space.
The
Wilsons
Collection
The Wilson collection spans multiple subjects, styles, and eras — from musicians and travelers to athletes and cultural icons. Shown here are the Anthony Bourdain portrait project, Paul McCartney, Kelly Slater, and Pablo Escobar.
Thank You
A sincere thank you to Eric, Wendy, Daniel, and Catie for trusting me with these projects over the years. What started as an unexpected reconnection with an old hometown friend became something much bigger. A reminder of why I still paint. Not for galleries or trends, but for the experience of creating personal, one-of-a-kind artwork that becomes part of people’s lives, homes, and memories.
"If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food, it's a plus for everybody"
- Anthony Bordain
The background was inspired by a Paul Kenton city painting