Dear Alex,

I second everyone's praise. It's a stunning painting and composition, and perhaps my favorite of yours (along with other favorites of yours). Kudos!

To all: I have recently seen this in her studio. The scale has real presense. It's big.

Garth

I also love the story-telling aspect of this, it's a perfect example of space and time. This might sound stupid, but it reminds me of that photo taken of the guys in the movie "The Untouchables". Proud men in the middle of their jobs posing for the camera.

In other words, great!

Alex,
wish that I could say like Garth !

This is a very fine portrait of both the skilled craftsmen as well as the scene.
You have solved the perspective issue brilliantly by showing the diagonal line along the sealing. This being the most dominant line in the painting and the center of interest and key to understanding the scene as well as the perspective of the room.
I also like your brushwork. As I understand, you paint without too much medium. Would you show us some very close ups of the brushwork :?
Allan

Alex, this is a stunning painting! Like Garth, I've seen this in person and it's just amazing. This "men at work" concept is so freshly painted and holds together so well from a viewing distance. It has real presence and it is (like Garth said) BIG.

What wonderful faces on the canvas, too. Very impressive all around, Alex!

Thank you, thank you, thank you--Kim, Pat, Carol, Garth, Jimmie, Allan, and Linda--for your very generous comments! You guys are terrific artists so your words mean a lot to me.

Allan, yes, it's true I don't use medium any more, and I feel I have a lot more control over my brushstrokes, plus I'm forced to use more paint which I needed! I'm posting some extreme closeups for you, and for anyone else who's interested.

Oh My ... The Hands!
 

Love the close ups...hands with plaster, eyes...everything. Thank you for sharing this with us. It sure got me.

Carol, thanks! Here are a few MORE closeups that I was going to post originally, then when Allan wanted the extreme closeups I thought it would be overkill, but here they are anyway.

Never Overkill!
 

Thanks for posting the close ups. Can't get enough of this!

I love the point of view and the way the shadows set up the space.
Great!

Hi Alex,
Congratulations on this great achievement.
I loved it.