‘Impressed by Fish’ Exhibit Opens July 10

Plan to Attend: Don’t Let This Show Be the

One That Got Away

There’s something fishy going on at Everything Natural this July and August. Everything Natural’s Studio Gallery will feature ‘Impressed by Fish ~ A Show by Artist Barry Singer’ from July 10 through August 15.

A local artist, Singer will display many of his gyotaku, watercolors and oils. Gyotaku (ghe-o-ta’-ku) means fish rubbing. Begun in Japan around 200 years ago, it was first done to document the size and variety of fish before the invention of the camera. Pigment is applied to a fish, then paper is pressed against the fish. Done properly, the result is a beautiful, accurate image. Today, it is appreciated as an art form, and the Japanese believe that the impressions bring good luck and prosperity to anyone who hangs one in their home.

A resident of Baylor’s Lake, Singer is an avid fisherman and an accomplished artist. During his 25 years in the printing industry, he designed projects from newsletters to national ad campaigns. In 1994, he founded The Art Room, an art school in Fleetville for students in elementary school through college.

Singer says he discovered gyotaku while vacationing in Cape Cod. “I came across a shop that featured fish images on tee shirts. Later, I found a fishing book that devoted a couple of pages to the subject.  Being an artist, I just had to try it after catching a bass. The image transferred beautifully, and I was hooked,” he explains.

Both the artist and many of his subjects are local. The fish he uses for impressions “come from Baylor’s Lake, local streams and the Atlantic Ocean.” Many of his 25 species of fish will be on display at Everything Natural’s show.

“Some prints are small, from the minnow pail,” comments Singer. “Some are large, like a 40-inch striped bass caught in Newport, RI. Each fish has a story, but once a gyotaku is made, I can never lie about the size.”

The artist doesn’t consider his work to be traditional Japanese style, which is black ink on rice paper. He remarks, “I experiment with handmade papers and even fabric, often adding watercolors or pastels in the background.”

In addition to his gyotaku, Singer will display selections of his watercolors and oils depicting scenes from the lake and shore.

The public is invited to enjoy Singer’s exhibit through August 15 in the Studio Gallery. Please ask an Everything Natural staff member for more information, or call the store at 586-9684.