In part 1 of my spearfishing and art excursion, I went spearfishing for an octopus with gyotaku artist Naoki Hayashi. After our trip into the depths of Kaneohe Bay, we returned to Naoki’s studio to make sure that our fresh catch didn’t not die in vain. Naoki showed me how he positions his subjects in lifelike poses so that the animals are portrayed as they live rather than stuffed on the wall looking very much dead. Many of his techniques are trade secrets, but his precision, respect for the octopi and passion for his art ensure that his final products are perhaps the best gyotaku works in the world.
How impressed was I by Naoki’s abilities? After he finished painting the octopus that we caught (OK, he caught it but I swam it back to the boat), I bought the work, brought it back to New York, got it framed and hung it smack-dab in the middle of my living room. Every time I look at that painting, I remember being in the water with Naoki, feeling the octopus wrap itself around my arm and marveling at how something could go from living in the wild to being a completed work of art so quickly and magnificently.
Naoki often sells his work on Etsy, so be sure to keep an eye on his shop. Also make sure to check out some of my photos from the trip to Hawaii.
