When I first stumbled across the beautiful Japanese artform of Gyotaku I just had to have a try, this was ten years ago and I'm still learning with every print I make. Traditionally the process (like many Japanese artforms) is simple yet captivating, sumi ink is methodically applied to a fish and once satisfied with the ink's viscosity and evenness the kozo paper is applied and the print revealed.
I do love the simple rawness to a traditional gyotaku however five or so years into my learning I was craving colour, which led me to painting. There was a few years of pretty clumsy brush work and plenty of ruined prints but now I feel I'm bringing real life back into my subjects focusing predominantly around the eye and head.
I took last year off MRROS to have a break and work on some new species and dabble in some sculpting which fits with my trade as a carpenter, this I enjoyed thoroughly. Hopefully it's something I can slip into the resume in years to come.