Gallery 070 will present new paintings by Jeff Scott in an exhibit that opens from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 6.

Scott, a Seattle artist who is fascinated by the quiet solitude of industrial areas and rarely used public infrastructure, has created a new series of paintings that allude to the summer road trip typically taken by most Americans in June.

The artist has spent the last few years commuting to his job as scenic artist at the Seattle Opera. He said that he finds the mundane beauty of the freeway mesmerizing, especially when the changing light emphasizes strong silhouettes and textures. Using hastily snapped photos of roadways, bridges and signs as reference, Scott paints new scenes with richly colored skies as otherworldly backdrops.

“I like to create atmospheric backgrounds by layering multiple coats of translucent acrylic medium on hard plywood panels,” Scott explained. “I try to suggest the character of skies at twilight, which allows me to use a broad range of colors and visual movement.”

He also likes to let the paint mix in unexpected ways, resulting in a variety of random effects.

Scott, who studied architecture and fine art at the University of Washington, has a lifelong connection to Vashon.

“Growing up in Tacoma, my family and I spent summer weekends at a tiny rustic cabin perched precariously on pilings above the high tide. Amazingly, it withstood winter storms that would buckle the floors and leave seaweed hanging on the kitchen cabinets,” recalled Scott.

The exhibit will continue through June 28. Gallery 070 is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and by appointment. For more information, call 463-9280.