NANCY CANN SHIMER began making simple prints of fish with acrylic paints 20 years ago. She and her husband Craig spent most of the summer of their Viking 43 at Indian River Inlet in Delaware for about 10 years. During that time, they caught many varieties of fish, Nancy printed them on the boat and then she cooked them. Nancy has since traveled to various parts of the country to study with Gyotaku masters. She also works in many other mediums.
Craig and Nancy love to travel to exotic fishing areas to fish and print. Craig can always be counted on to help Nancy prepare the fish to print. He is the jack of all trades: setting up shows, framing and much more, and Nancy values his eye when she is working on paintings.
Nancy’s art has been exhibited in multiple one woman shows and included in other gallery showings. Coastal Impressions Studio exhibits in various fishing shows.
In 1982, Nancy started Crusader Yacht Sales in Annapolis, an internationally known yacht dealership and brokerage firm. She was the first woman President of Yacht Brokers Association of America, the national professional organization for yacht brokers. She was of the few women in the industry. She lived aboard a sailboat in Annapolis for 10 years and has sailed in many different parts of the world.) Thirty years later, Nancy sold Crusader Yachts Sales and is happy printing, painting, travelling, enjoying family and managing Coastal Impressions Studio.
Gyotaku (Japanese 魚拓, from gyo "fish" (say “joe”) + taku "rubbing") is the traditional Japanese method of printing fish, a practice which dates back to the mid-1800s. It is believed that fishermen used the prints to record their catches to enable competition between remote fishing campsites. It evolved into its own art form. Paint or Ink is applied directly to a fresh fish and an impression (or rubbing) is made on mulberry paper or silk.
From original impressions beautifully framed, giclee prints, prints on stretched canvas to greeting cards and more, there is something for all price ranges.
Craig and Nancy love to travel to exotic fishing areas to fish and print. Craig can always be counted on to help Nancy prepare the fish to print. He is the jack of all trades: setting up shows, framing and much more, and Nancy values his eye when she is working on paintings.
Nancy’s art has been exhibited in multiple one woman shows and included in other gallery showings. Coastal Impressions Studio exhibits in various fishing shows.
In 1982, Nancy started Crusader Yacht Sales in Annapolis, an internationally known yacht dealership and brokerage firm. She was the first woman President of Yacht Brokers Association of America, the national professional organization for yacht brokers. She was of the few women in the industry. She lived aboard a sailboat in Annapolis for 10 years and has sailed in many different parts of the world.) Thirty years later, Nancy sold Crusader Yachts Sales and is happy printing, painting, travelling, enjoying family and managing Coastal Impressions Studio.
Gyotaku (Japanese 魚拓, from gyo "fish" (say “joe”) + taku "rubbing") is the traditional Japanese method of printing fish, a practice which dates back to the mid-1800s. It is believed that fishermen used the prints to record their catches to enable competition between remote fishing campsites. It evolved into its own art form. Paint or Ink is applied directly to a fresh fish and an impression (or rubbing) is made on mulberry paper or silk.
From original impressions beautifully framed, giclee prints, prints on stretched canvas to greeting cards and more, there is something for all price ranges.
First, we catch the fish.
Preparing the fish to print.
The Indirect Method
In the Indirect method, silk is being applied to fish. to the fish. Ink was applied using Tampos (hand made tools made of natural cotton wrapped in silk).
This is the most time consuming method but it gets the best image transfer with incredible detail.
This is the Rooster Fish right after it was pulled from the fish.
Touch ups will be done later.
The Direct Method
In the Direct Method, ink is applied directly to the fish. Then mulberry paper (known as rice paper) is applied to the fish. The paper is rubbed and an impression is made. Then the paper is peeled off the fish to reveal the image.