Fresh Prints: How Its Made

Gyotaku (Japanese 魚拓, from gyo "fish" + taku "rubbing") style of painting is a centuries old traditional Japanese method for recording and honoring a fish -- it's story and memories, Natural printing such as this allows for the proper respect of catching, persevering,and harvesting the fish for food.

The fish are rinsed clean of the acrylic paint and filleted and cooked for friends and family fresh.

Selected species are caught by the artist. The fish are then prepared for printing with acrylic paint being applied. Either rice paper or various fabrics are engulfed around the fish, and carefully massaged to make sure the impression is thorough. At this point, the paper or fabric is delicately removed revealing the bold figure of the fish. 

The Artist

Originally from Pittsburgh, Terry has been drawn to the wildlife, wide open spaces, and adventure in Alaska for the last 25 years. With a love for the ocean and an eye for wildlife photography, Terry has worked as a Captain and Marine Naturalist in Alaska, Hawaii, and around the world. He presently owns and operates a conservation minded, sustainable salmon fishing business in Seward, Alaska.

 Terry’s true inspiration is sharing his love for fishing and the wild outdoors with others. Whether it is the first fish of their lives, or first fish of the day, they’re all a fish of a lifetime. Terry began applying paint and canvas to clients’ catches for a unique way to preserve a memorable catch. This Guyotaku style of painting is a centuries old Japanese method of recording a catch. Through much trial and error he has captured the essence, beauty and magnitude of many of these catches. Recently Terry started a print series bringing to life fish from lakes, rivers, and oceans caught by friends, clients. and himself spanning the East to West coasts and international waters. 

By transferring true to form elements of size and shape with eye catching, life-like colors of acrylic on canvas, he has discovered a new passion that brings happiness and joy to this cranky old salt. By enhancing subtle details and distinct traits of each individual fish, Terry infuses personality and character into his paintings. These one-of-a-kind originals can be custom-sized as Giclee on canvas, metal, or paper prints. The fish caught and used in each distinctive piece are filleted and prepared into a delicious meal for friends and family.

For prints in any size, quantity, and format, please contact Terence "Terry" Mangold.

10% of all sales goes to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Terry is available for select commissioned work, in which he takes on a case-by-case basis. 

• email: pelagicprints@gmail.com 
• phone: (907)491-1960

Pelagic Prints

PO Box 1776 

Seward, Alaska 99664