Robin Layton is that rare combination of photojournalist and artist who can render a writer’s words superfluous. Her eye is not only unerring, it’s uncanny.

Those of us who worked with her at the Seattle P-I in the 1990s knew it the first time we worked on assignments with her. Where most of us saw reality, she saw possibility. Where some might see cliche, she sees clues to thoughtful expression, greater exposition.

Layton now spends most of her time in Los Angeles, where she has become an in-demand photographer to the glitterati. Her client list includes Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parkers, Kenny G, Sidney Poitier, Tobey Maguire. She has traveled the world doing expensive shoots in exotic places.

he exhibit incorporates Layton’s photographs into and onto found objects such as old farm equipment. The image of the Space Needle shown here is 6 feet tall, framed in what Layton describes as “fantastic blue iron scaffolding.”

Layton’s affinity for focal distortion reminds me at times of Emily Carr. It’s not quite photographic abstractionism. More like post-Impressionism, in that she subtly alters real-life forms for expressive effect.

Thursday’s exhibit is open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m., with free comestibles courtesy of Seattle chef Tom Douglas.