VIEWFINDER: Photography Art at Mercer Island Community & Events Center

The is currently hosting an unusual display of nature photography at the in ways that illustrate artifice of observation. 

Discussing his work at the artist's reception, Painter said his composite photography was a way his consciousness could reach a higher level of awareness. His photography weaves dozens of images into one of his favorite natural subject: trees. He began studying meditation techniques to help him focus in his professional life — he's an assistant professor at the University of Washington — but found the meditation also shaped his artistic eye.

"It's a conscious decision not to judge a particular view, but to take all views," he said.

Deborah Casso, a self-employed health researcher, said she decided to ask Painter to join her in displaying their work on Mercer Island after she got to know him at U.W. through a photography club while taking classes there. In opposition to his composite photography, Casso's medium is extreme close-ups of natural objects seeking patterns, whether they are vegetables, flowers or plants. 

"I love trying to frame the different patterns in nature," she said. "You'll notice that all of our subjects are naturally occurring. We're just looking at nature and the different vantage points of these objects that we see."

On display since Aug. 8, the show runs through Sept. 16.