Fishing For Art
Gyotaku "Gyo" = fish + "taku" = rubbing
Gyotaku is a traditional Japanese method of printing fish dating back to the 1800s.
It was first used by Japanese fisherman to record the size and species of fish they caught for display at market.
These fishermen were hired to print fish for the upper class so they could prove who caught the bigger fish.
Eventually Gyotaku changed to become the cherished art form it is today,
The print is made with non-toxic acrylic paint or traditional sumi ink, which is made from vegetable oil soot.
After the imprint is made, the fish can then be cleaned and eaten.
Ronald Graham
Ron Graham is an artist and math teacher from Kailua, Hawaii. His journey into being a self-taught artist began when he moved from Ashland Oregon to Hawaii in 2007 when his lovely bride exclaimed, “Life is short! Let’s go live somewhere tropical just for one year!”. Gyotaku prints are pretty common in Hawaii galleries, restaurants, and fishing shops which served as inspiration to try it himself. Over the years, his passion for both art and fishing has fused into a unique artistic expression that captures the essence and detail of the fish that are printed. His works not only decorate homes but he also teaches people of all ages how to print fish. .
Custom Fish Printing Services
Custom Gyotaku Commissions
Commission your own personalized Gyotaku piece, tailored to capture your favorite fish in exquisite detail. All I need is the fish. Bring me a fish, or we can ask the fishing community to supply one for you.
I have a lot of “extra prints” of various fish in my files I can prepare for you. Contact me to find out what I have on hand.
Educational Workshops
Learn the delicate art of fish printing through hands-on workshops designed for all skill levels. Groups of up to 15.
I can customize the workshops to fit your groups wants/needs/timeline. Workshops can be a basic T-shirt printing party (a favorite among kids), or a full four hour detailed art class.
