Something Fishy Going On

Artist John Doherty makes art that’s just a little bit fishy. He spends his summers on Cape Cod, where he finds his inspiration on the end of a hook. For real. He catches a fish, covers it in paint, creates a print, washes the dish, and then fillets it for his dinner. Because the fish in his prints are a record of actual fish, no two are alike.

This style of rubbing is known as Gyotaku, an ancient Japanese art form originally created as a practical way to make an accurate, lifelike record of various fish species. Only later did it become a respected art form.

Doherty has painted about thirty different New England species (including octopi, squid, eels, crabs and sand dollars) and brings his studio tools with him when visiting other coastal locales around the globe.

All are giclee prints on GD Premium Archival matte paper, and all hover around $100-$200 in price so you can mix and match anywhere in your home that could do with a splash of color.