Local artist travels along highways and byways

Exhibiting at RiverSea Gallery will be the oil and watercolor paintings of artists, Mike Swift and Phyllis Ray February 10 through March 6.

The artists will hold a meet and greet at the opening reception and live music will be provided by Brian O’Connor on Saturday, February 10, 5 to 9 p.m. The event is held in conjunction with Arts Night Out, an all city art walk taking place in downtown Astoria.

Mike Swift of Cathlamet will display a collection of oil paintings depicting a romantic and nostalgic look at both urban and rural landscape. Swift, who spent his early youth in Des Moines, Iowa before moving to Los Angeles, has always held a fascination for the man-made landscape.

After receiving his degree from Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles, Swift has spent nearly 30 years working in production illustration and storyboarding for the advertising and entertainment industries, while also pursuing his own artistic interests. His involvement in film as well as a lifelong interest in automobiles, road trips and early memories of Los Angeles freeways, has lent itself to a nostalgic subject matter that is unique to Swift’s style.

Phyllis Ray will be exhibiting a series of watercolor paintings. She has been a professional artist since 1969, and also enjoyed a long career as a counselor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Art Education as well as a Masters degree in Educational Psychology. She is a member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Women Painter’s of Washington as well as being a Signature Member of the Northwest Watercolor Association.