Opening on May 16th, 2026 at Maxwell Alexander Gallery in Pasadena, California is Eric Bowman's extraordinary solo exhibition, "DECADE," celebrating ten years of collaboration with the gallery.

The must see exhibition features a focused body of new paintings that reflect the continued evolution of Bowman’s distinct visual language, which is defined by simplified forms, flattened planes of color, and powerful Western narratives. His work captures moments of stillness and introspection, placing solitary figures and horses within expansive, stylized landscapes.

A Pasadena native, Bowman transitioned from a successful career in illustration to fine art, going on to exhibit at leading institutions including the Autry Museum of the American West and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. He is the recipient of the Prix de West Great American Cowboy Award, one of the highest honors in Western art.

Interest in Bowman’s work continues to grow year over year, with consistent sell-out exhibitions and a record-setting auction result this year, alongside magazine covers and increasing institutional recognition.

“DECADE” marks both a milestone and a forward looking moment for an continuously evolving artist.

A special statement from Eric:

DECADE [‘de, kād]

To most people ten years is a big deal; when you went from one digit to two on your tenth birthday, or when you attended your first high school reunion (not that I did that)…or maybe just renewing your passport photo was a high-water mark.  At any rate it’s ten years, a milestone, a “Decade”. 

As an artist, the last decade has been a tremendous period of growth for my craft, starting with two serendipitous events that took place in 2016.  Number one, I created my first serious Western painting, and two, it caught the eye of one Maxwell Alexander Gallery — the hottest up and coming Western Art gallery in the country.  Either by divine intervention or cosmic coincidence, I was in the right place doing the right thing at the right time, which began a relationship with this top-tier gallery and their generous support for the new path I was on.

For this show commemorating my association with Maxwell Alexander, I’ve spent the last year working on these 12 oil paintings, exploring various settings touching upon southwestern cultural themes.  A recent, extended trip to New Mexico resulted in works depicting Taos natives, several of which are set in the studio and home of artist, E.I. Couse (1866-1936).  Other pieces depict traditional cowboys in southwestern landscapes, and while each painting is narrative in structure, the “story” is entirely up to the viewer.  I’ve been called a “story teller” before, yet without ever really telling the whole story — it was all in the viewers head, I just gave them a jumping off point.

The fact is, I am more interested in the “doing” of the work now than just the message of it. Over the last ten years a deeper interest in the crafting of a painting (the design, texture, color relationships) are what excite me even more than the subject of the West.  Of course the Western genre is perfect fodder for the artist; an all-organic subject matter of man & beast, the great outdoors and endless compositional opportunities wherewith to arrange them…but it takes imagination and permission to self-explore in order to find what I’m after.  Although I have travelled to many a western destination to sketch and gather authentic reference, I always leave plenty of space for imaginative interpretation — ideally, I want to land somewhere between reality and fantasy, and the Western subject affords me the liberty to do that. 

Maxwell Alexander Gallery affords me liberty too; never ones to dictate or direct an artists muse, they have always been an advocate of personal development, and ever ready to share hard-won wisdom, strategy and a helping hand.  I am so grateful to partner with such an entity, one that established itself upon the visions of artists and collectors before the bottom line of profit.  This is a big part of why the past decade of my career (and theirs) has been such a success, and why I look forward to the next ten years of artistic growth with them~

“Happy Decennial” to me AND my partner, Maxwell Alexander Gallery!

Eric Bowman

4-10-2026

Tigard, Oregon