ORIGINAL Framed Gyotaku piece.
Size: Approximately 12"x12" in 16"x16" Frame
These little Sergeant major fish are known as Mamo in Hawaiian and can be found throughout the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic.  They typically stay near the surface to feed on zooplankton and are often caught by using a small bamboo pole and bread as bait!  There are two similar species that congregate together and I printed one of each.One of the species has the coolest Latin name, Abudefduf saxatilis.  Please read that name out loud and enjoy that it will get stuck in your head.  These fish are small, but are fierce protectors of their egg nests.  During mating season, females will lay thousands of eggs that create large purple patches on the rocks.  Both partners will guard these eggs with their lives and attack any fish that get too close.   Although they are beautiful little fish, Mamo are tasty as well!  People typically eat them pan fried and whole. The piece was flattened via traditional Japanese style urauchi backing then mounted and framed shadowbox style.
Media: Acrylic Paint, Prismacolors and watercolor pencils on rice paper