Note: This reoccurring column, celebrating local artists, comes from Vashon Island Visual Artists (ViVA). This week, we learn more about a photographer whose work has graced many exhibitions on Vashon and beyond.

Michael Elenko considers photography to be his second language.

Elenko’s work has been featured in international fine art exhibitions in prestigious galleries across the United States. In 2021, he was selected as a portfolio artist for the Midwest Center for Photography. Currently, he has three fine prints in the New York-based Alex Ferrone Gallery’s national exhibition, “Farms in America.” This year will mark the publication of Michael’s first art book, “Geometries.”

Elenko’s photography aims to connect personal feelings and insights with the power, forms, and colors of nature. Other images convey the impacts of humanity’s interplay with the material world and the artifacts we leave behind.

He has lived on Vashon since 1989 and is married to Dr. Fran Brooks. They have two adult children, daughter Kaija and son Sasha. Reach him at digitaltogo.net, 206-226-3315, and michael.elenko@comcast.net.

To find out more about ViVA and its many local members, visit vivartists.com.