Fine art imagery by two eastern Washington photographers will be featured in Orcas Center 's main gallery throughout November. 

            Featured artists are Ken Smith and Yuko Ishii, who live together in a log home in the foothills of the North Cascades.  Their photography is strongly influenced by natural forces, shapes and, in the case of Smith, particularly time.  Since 1991 he has focused on limited edition fine art photography, and in recent years particularly emphasized still life. His  images have been displayed in solo exhibitions throughout the Northwest and beyond, and in group shows throughout the US and internationally; and are represented in corporate and private collections in the US , Europe and Japan .

            His work, Smith says, is strongly influenced by the Japanese aesthetic and by tao and zen philosophy: "When I choose my subjects, I feel a sense of belonging to the innate forms. It is satisfying to attempt to identify the most basic truths that are common denominators of life's dynamic, both in humans and the rest of the natural world."

            Ishii has similar reflections on her own art: "When I photograph subjects I try to communicate their spirits and look for the unexpected imagery that results. What I always want to perceive through my art is something unknown. " Her works, which have been included in many exhibits throughout the state, are often multi- media, merging photography with other techniques from pen-and-ink to her own poetry, in Japanese, images that then are often layered and blended by computer.

            The accompanying Orcas Photographers show will present current work from familiar island artists as well as several who are new to Center gallery viewers.