George Rochberg - Composer - Regarded by Isaac Stern as a seminal force in American musical composition.
In a letter to the artist, June 1985:
"...I like the freshness of your work...would you be surprised if I said I like the configurals best of all because I feel there you are at your freest and most imaginative..."
In a letter to the artist, October 1987:
"...Your work is strong yet wonderfully free..."
In a personalized autographed copy of the Libretto for The Confidence Man, Dec. 1994:
"...for Alex McKibbin, a painter of air, light and beauty..."
Theodore F. Wolff - Art Critic, The Christian Science Monitor
In a letter to the artist, May 28, 1985:
"...I found your drawings really brilliant and so I must admit to being very pleasantly surprised to discover how "abstract" a large number of your paintings are. Your range and the quality you maintain within that range is quite extraordinary..."
David Please - Dean, Yale University School of Art, New Haven, CT
"...The number of invitational and jurored exhibitions that once existed in this country, to a great extent have disappeared. The costs of shipping and insurance, coupled with the increasing complexity of painting, have taken their toll, and this lack of opportunity has effected many artists. I believe it is important to make this point to emphasize the truly impressive nature of Alex McKibbin's record..."
"...Examining the slides of his work was a joy..."
William Olander - Acting Director & Curator of Modern Art, Allen Art Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, November, 1983:
"...Mr McKibbin's work is both accomplished, vibrant, and sophisticated, particularly in light of recent developments in abstract and figurative painting, both of which Mr. McKibbin is particularly accomplished in. His work combines the best qualities of draughtsmanship and painterliness and has an unusual and exceptional character of being able to combine the two..."
James Demetrion - Director of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
In a postcard to the artist, April, 1982:
"...was able to see your show at the Blanden (Art Memorial, Fort Dodge, IA), Saturday after all. Enjoyed seeing it, strong work."
Charles Cajori - Nationally recognized painter and Professor at Queens College, as well as The Studio School, New York City.
In a letter to the Promotion and Tenure Committee, Oct 23, 1981:
"...I have known his work for several years and have the highest regard for it's integrity and force. During a period in which many short-lived, market oriented fashions are given extraordinary attention, it is a pleasure to be able to recommend a painter uninvolved in that. McKibbin's work represents a clear and intelligent engagement with those concerns and issues which have been a painter's. The structuring and discovery of the world."
Nancy Hoffman - Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York City
In a letter to the artist, January 9, 1981:
"...the work looks terrific, full of energy, intensity and vibrant color. I can understand why. Thomas Messer awarded you a prize in the eight state regional competition. I like the work and find it strong and interesting..."
John Dowell, Jr. - Nationally known printmaker and Professor of Art, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
In a letter to the Promotion and Tenure Committee, November, 1981:
"...as to his creative efforts, Alex's vita should speak for itself. He is a remarkable, creative draughtsman indeed, a textbook model for draughtsman and a strong, substantial painter. He has been invited into an unusual number of competitive shows for his age and has received professional awards and recognition for 20 years..."
Denny Griffith - Individual Artist's Coordinator for The Ohio Arts Council
In a letter to the artist, April 28, 1980:
"...you have your work and it's inherent integrity; you have gallery representation in several states and you have an impressive exhibition record. To me it seems eminently clear that you're an accomplished professional."
Nathan Goldstein - Leading author of major texts in the studio areas of painting & drawing.
In a letter to the artist, March 28, 1979:
"...I commend you on the very high quality of your drawings and on your initiative. I am very taken with two of your works (see enclosed xeroxes), not only for their quality, but more pragmatically, because I'm certain I can use them to great advantage in the revision briefly, and assuming you are more interested in spotting susceptibilities, than in hearing about your considerable strengths...all in all though, you've got some mightily impressive stuff..."
Lawrence C. Goldsmith - Painting, author, teacher, Queens College, University of Vermont
In a letter to the artist, October, 1978:
"...I am writing a book to be published by Watson-guptil Publications, with the working title, Watercolor Bold and Free. The book will be illustrated by examples of work of outstanding contemporary watercolorists, as well as myself. Some of those who have agreed to participate are Sam Francis, Ruth Cobb, Pul Jenkins, Georgia O'Keefe, Keith Crown. I am writing to you because I was attracted by "Environs of Pamajera" in Watercolor, U.S.A.. Judging from that, your work belongs in my book..."
Salvatore Grippi - Chairman, Art Department, Ithaca College
In a letter to the artist, August, 1983:
"...I think the work looks exciting and represents a solid production of high caliber I found it interesting that you work both abstractly and figuratively with equal vigor and that you handle both in the same period. Most people who like easy answers and are looking for the secure aesthetic take abstract and figurative as antagonistic or mutually exclusive direction. I hope that long last this is giving way to real looking and seeing..."
Warren Taylor - Art Department, Midland College
In a letter to the artist, October, 1985:
"...I've been familiar with your watercolor works for several years having seen them in Watercolor U.S.A. and most recently in The Artist's Magazine. I like the fresh sparkle you achieve without the stereotypical subject matter."
In a letter to the artist, October, 1992:
"...I have found your slides very helpful and widely enjoyed by students. You seem to walk a line that is very much your own and one that always reads fresh and spontaneous, not trite and predictable as so many in this medium are."