Maxwell Alexander Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
July 10-24
John Moyers, Deep in the Quaking Forest, oil, 12 x 12.
When it comes to the art of collecting, “quality over quantity” is an appropriate axiom. The same principle might also be applied to scale: better to choose a modestly sized, high-quality artwork than a lower-quality large piece. Fortunately, there are plenty of small-works shows—often, but not always, held during the holiday gift-giving season—where collectors can find outstanding works by accomplished artists at reasonable prices.
Beau Alexander, director of Maxwell Alexander Gallery in Los Angeles, sees many benefits of buying small-scale paintings. “Small works are great for both new collectors looking to get their feet wet and seasoned collectors who might not have as much wall space [remaining],” he says. “It’s a great way to ‘test’ your interest, and since it isn’t usually a tremendous financial or wall-space commitment, you can step outside your comfort zone. If you live with that small work for a while, you may find you love the piece and want to begin adding larger works by the artist to your collection. Or the opposite can happen, and if that’s the case, you aren’t so invested that you feel buyer’s remorse. Also, small works make great gifts.”
Alexander has hosted an annual Small Works show at his gallery for nine years, and this year’s edition takes place in July. It’s an online-only show featuring 75 paintings that can be viewed and purchased on the gallery’s website. All of the paintings are new works created in a 12-by-12-inch format, and all of the gallery’s artists have contributed at least one work. The pieces cover a range of subject matter and styles, including contemporary realism, classic western, animals, landscapes, and more.
-
- Eric Bowman, Opal Moon, oil, 12 x 12.
-
- David Grossmann, Crescent Moon and Early Flight, oil, 12 x 12.
-
- Brett Allen Johnson, After the Rain, oil, 12 x 12.
-
- Eric Bowman, Abiding Patient, oil, 12 x 12.
-
- Craig Blietz, Causeway, oil, 12 x 12.
-
- T. Allen Lawson, Shell Creek Ice Shelf, oil, 12 x 12.
Paintings by some of Maxwell Alexander’s renowned artists are available, along with those by a few newcomers to the Small Works show, such as acclaimed painter T. Allen Lawson. “Lawson is a nationally known artist whose art is widely collected, in both private and public collections,” Alexander says. “His style of painting only allows for a limited amount of artwork to be produced in a year, so it’s a real treat to have a small painting from him in our show.”
Demand for many of the pieces in the show may be high, but considering the overall quality, any painting one walks away with is sure to be a winner. “We have gone to extensive lengths to curate our gallery to only include the highest level of art,” Alexander says. “We did this for one reason: when a new collector walks into the gallery or sees our shows online, no matter what he or she buys, it will be a great choice.” –Allison Malafronte
contact information
213.275.1060
www.maxwellalexandergallery.com
This story appeared in the June/July 2021 issue of Southwest Art magazine.