In Japan they are known as Nishikigoi, or living jewels. These brilliantly colored varieties of the Amur carp have been selectively bred by family owned fisheries for generations. When I began this series of Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) I studied the many varieties of Koi, each with their own unique colors and patterns. My particular favorites are the Tanchos which can be identified by the distinct red spot on their heads. To create these pieces I print common carp I catch myself with sumi ink using traditional techniques used by Japanese fisherman dating back the mid 1800's. I then tint the images using watercolor. In each piece I hope to translate a sense of movement to give the viewer a sense of calm one might experience watching the living versions lazily meandering around a serene pond. —Jeff Conroy

Several Koi swim against one another in this Gyo-tako method of painting by artist Jeff Conroy. After inking and taking impressions of the koi, the artist then uses watercolors to enhance their beauty. By using marbled mulberry paper to print on, he has created the illusion of water with the swirls of the mulberry paper. The paper itself has a soft hue and slightly wavy texture adding the overall feel of the artwork. This artwork is matted and framed in a white wooden frame.

In Japan they are known as Nishikigoi, or living jewels. These brilliantly colored varieties of the Amur carp have been selectively bred by family owned fisheries for generations. When I began this series of Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) I studied the many varieties of Koi, each with their own unique colors and patterns. My particular favorites are the Tanchos which can be identified by the distinct red spot on their heads. To create these pieces I print common carp I catch myself with sumi ink using traditional techniques used by Japanese fisherman dating back the mid 1800's. I then tint the images using watercolor. In each piece I hope to translate a sense of movement to give the viewer a sense of calm one might experience watching the living versions lazily meandering around a serene pond. —Jeff Conroy

Several Koi swim against one another in this Gyo-tako method of painting by artist Jeff Conroy. After inking and taking impressions of the koi, the artist then uses watercolors to enhance their beauty. By using marbled mulberry paper to print on, he has created the illusion of water with the swirls of the mulberry paper. The paper itself has a soft hue and slightly wavy texture adding the overall feel of the artwork. This artwork is matted and framed in a white wooden frame.

A newly discovered sea creature?? No, just an imaginative artist creating a Gyo-Tako print of large octopus by Jeff Conroy entitled "Cheetahpus". To achieve this remarkable painting, the artist inks the octopus using traditional sumi ink then "prints" it onto Mulberry paper - a soft, handmade paper. He then embellishes the details with watercolor to give extraordinary dimension and interest to its overall aesthetic. The artwork is unframed. Please contact the gallery for framing options.

Jeff Conroy
Cheetahpus
sumi ink and watercolor on archival kraft paper
25h x 36.50w in
63.50h x 92.71w cm
JEC080

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on Mulberry paper, which mimics the swirl of water, the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. The artwork is matted and framed in a simple white wooden frame.

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on Mulberry paper, which mimics the swirl of water, the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. The artwork is unframed. Please contact the gallery for framing options.

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on Mulberry paper, which mimics the swirl of water, the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. The artwork is matted and framed in a simple white wooden frame.

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on Mulberry paper, which mimics the swirl of water, the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. The artwork is unframed. Please contact the gallery for framing options.

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyotaku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on Mulberry paper, which mimics the swirl of water, the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. The artwork is matted and framed in a simple white wooden frame,

A 65 million year old sea creature is captured here through the art of Gyotaku by Jeff Conroy. After inking and taking impressions of a reproduction fossil Ammonite shell and combining it with an actual octopus impression, the artist then uses watercolor pencils on the ink outline to bring this fossil creature into animated existence. The tinted color and texture of the mulberry paper creates the illusion of swirling water. The paper itself has a soft hue and slightly wavy texture adding the overall feel of the artwork. This artwork is matted and framed in a simple white wooden frame.

A large striped bass is about to devour two small mackerel in Jeff Conroy's watercolor entitled "Big Mack Attack". The fish are painted with the precision of a fine silver etching, showing every scale and variation in color on this magnificent species. The fish are painted on mulberry paper which has a softness and swirled pattern that adds to the overall aesthetic of the piece. The painting is unframed. Please contact the gallery for framing options.

Designers have an wide reach through out the world but have yet to reach the depths of the ocean. Artist Jeff Conroy has created this Gyotaku print of large ray entitled simply "Channel Quilted Black Caviar Ray" to fill that void. To achieve this remarkable painting, the artist applies sumi ink to a sting ray he caught himself on Florida's Gulf Coast, then "prints" it onto Marbled Mulberry paper - a soft, handmade paper. He then embellishes the details with watercolor to give extraordinary dimension and interest to its overall aesthetic. The artwork is unframed. Please contact the gallery for framing options.

Using a print of a sailing vessel from times gone by, artist Jeff Conroy adds some fun by embellishing the print with a hand painted kraken (aka a mythological giant sea monster) climbing about the ship. This piece is matted and framed in a simple white wooden frame.

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyotaku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on hand-made Mulberry paper the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. The artwork is matted and framed in a simple white wooden frame.

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on hand-made Mulberry paper, in this case a paper that mimics the movement of water, the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic.

Those of us of a certain age can't forget the color palette of the 70's - avocado green, burnt orange, and brown - lots of brown! Here, artist Jeff Conroy takes those fond memories of his childhood and brings them to life in this small octopus Gyotaku ink print. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on hand-made Mulberry paper, in this case a paper that mimics the movement of water in subtle shades of brown, the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. The artwork is matted and framed in a simple white wooden frame.