Insipirations: Fish Prints

Have you heard of fish prints? I was reminded of this strangely compelling craft form when I met a woman wearing a very fine example of it the other day. She'd bought it at some vacation spot she frequents, said she got a new one every year! Fish prints are made by painting an actual fish (colorful fish photo) and then pressing the fish onto paper or cloth (colorful fish print). It is thought that the technique originated in Japan in the 1800s as a way to record commercial fish catches, so many refer to the fish printing technique by its Japanese name "Gyotaku". Of course the original style does not involve bright colors on tshirts.


Barry Singer of Fish Fanatic has some really elegant examples of simple black prints on paper as well as more colorful work. (proud fisherman, traditional fish printing) Millstone Artworks has fish printed tshirts in soft, natural colors. (traditional fish print) As a craft activity for kids you don't get much better than going out, catching your very own fish, bringing it home, printing a tshirt from it to commemorate the event and then having it for dinner!


Written by Susan Brandt