River Gallery reception honors artists Swanagin, Epton

River Gallery will honor its featured artists for the month of September with an opening reception on Friday, Sept. 7, at 5:30 p.m.

Artists Peggy Epton and David Swanagin will be at the gallery, 400 E. Second St., to meet guests and answer questions about their work.

Swanagin is a selftaught oil painter specializing in landscapes and interiors. He began painting at 12, when his focus on detail and reality formed the groundwork for more spontaneous work. His artwork now ranges from representational to impressionistic.

He works in oils on masonite board, or wood panels, covers the panel in gesso to give texture and then begins to paint. He specializes in the “gallery wrap” style, where the painted image extends to the edges of the board and over onto the sides, allowing the painting to be hung without framing.

Epton’s medium is fabric and thread. Rich colors, fine details and visual depth are hallmarks of her work. From a distance, her work resembles a painting, but on closer examination, viewers will observe layers of fabric, texture and intricate stitching. Every creation is original in design and a one-of-a-kind keepsake. No patterns, programmed stitches or pencil marks are applied. Even cutting is done freehand.

River Gallery is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

For more information: 1-800-374-2923.

“Distant Smokies” by David Swanagin.

I MAGES FROM WWW. RIVER- GALLERY. COM “Magical Cattails” is a 15-inch by 12-inch textile by Peggy Epton.