Opening September 14, Maxwell Alexander Gallery presents Terra Firma, a group exhibition featuring up to 30 works. Artists include Tony Abeyta, G. Russell Case, Kim Cogan, Glenn Dean, Josh Elliott, Logan Maxwell Hagege, Jeremy Lipking, Ed Mell, Ray Roberts, Matt Smith, Tim Solliday, Vincent Xeus, and Dennis Ziemienski.

The works exhibited within Terra Firma share a similar theme: the landscape.

“We wanted the artists in the show to interpret the landscape however they saw fit,” says Beau Alexander, gallery owner. “From the Desert Southwest to the ocean to New Zealand, the artwork in this show shows a wide variety of our natural world.”

Alexander continues, “Since the earliest times artists have been striving to recreate the beauty they are surrounded by through their artistic interpretations. This tradition of landscape continues to this day. This group of paintings is a representation of true contemporary landscape art.”

Elliott’s work for the show stems from a trip he and his family took to New Zealand.

“The landscape down there was a real treat for the eyes—majesty all around. I wanted to share some of the awe and wonder I experienced through my work,” says Elliott, a Montana-based painter. “I am honored to be showing at Maxwell Alexander Gallery because of their fresh approach and commitment to quality art.”

Smith’s new work for the show is titled Apache Cliffs and measues 18 by 22 inches. “During the winter months I spend a fair amount of time painting along the Salt River in central Arizona,” says Smith. “Due to its varied topography it would be tough for me to identify a more interesting area within the Sonoran Desert. This particular cliff towered above the Salt and caught my attention due to its sheer scale. After working up several small paintings I decided to focus on this detail, which I found to be the most interesting section of the wall.