Julian

[Garth Herrick]

Beautiful Alex!

As Chris expresses, there is something commanding and powerful in Julian's pose amplified by the chair and setting, and something very penetrating too. It reminds me of several equally penetrating portraits by Thomas Eakins in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Commendable!

Garth

[Bianca Berends]

Great lighting! I really like the pose, it compliments his age and what he is wearing.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Thank you, Chris, Garth and Bianca!

The pose was partially my son's idea. We tried several variations and this seemed to be the most interesting. I had a lot of doubt about leaving the space at the top. I haven't really left something empty like that, yet the particular pose and the mood created by the pose and expression seemed to call for it. When I blocked out the top with my hand, he looked crowded, somehow, and the painting was weaker. Garth was over at my studio one day and helped convince me to leave the space!

[Tom Edgerton]

This is a strong, strong work.

You're right about the weight of the canvas at the top. There's something about it that has atmosphere and weight that continues down into the shoulders and arms. Interesting that a "void" like that could have such emotional presence.