Vigorous effort defines this vertical oil painting, centered on the torso and face of a young man struggling on a pull-up bar. His arms are stretched high above his head, disappearing off the top edge of the frame. Every muscle in his chest and abdomen is strained, highlighted by the unforgiving sun that creates a sharp glare down his right side, emphasizing the delineation of his powerful core. Straining against gravity, his face is turned slightly upward, mouth open in a desperate, ragged breath. Sweat seems to pierce the ruddy skin tones of his forehead and cheeks, conveying raw concentration and pain. Behind him, the setting is a lattice of dark, angular metal beams set against a pure, bright robin's egg blue, suggesting an open sky seen through the rungs of a ladder or fire escape. Intense warmth emanates from the rich, complex flesh tones, contrasting sharply with the cool cerulean background. The painter uses these dramatic value shifts to map the topography of the figure; where the sun strikes, the skin glows, and where shadow falls, the contours sink deep. This portrayal of pure physical dedication, titled "Try," captures the painful moment just before release or success.
