Dwight Hwang

Elevating the art of Classical Gyotaku, Dwight Hwang tells a story within each nature print.

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dwighthwang_gyotaku

Japanese Gyotaku & Euro Nature Printing
Forbes, Four Seasons, Michelin Star, Patagonia, NOAA, Natural History Museum of LA, LA Times, Smithsonian NHM

A dear friend of mine has been wanting to catch a

A dear friend of mine has been wanting to catch a Black Bass for as long as I have known him. Recently, we went fishing together, and I got to witness him finally manage to catch one. It wasn't large, just a couple inches over the size limit, but his joy was epic. Gyotaku prints aren't just an ink rubbing on paper, they're imbued with memories that will last a lifetime.

Honored to have been chosen to create gyotaku artw

Honored to have been chosen to create gyotaku artwork for @michelinguide sushi restaurant @sushisaintfl by @chefmike_collantes in Orlando, Florida.

A quick tour of our home studio in Mission Viejo,

A quick tour of our home studio in Mission Viejo, California.
If you are interested in viewing original gyotaku artwork in person before purchasing, simply schedule a time/day and let us know which pieces you would like to see, and we will have them ready for your private viewing.

#gyotaku #natureprint #dwighthwang #artgallery #artmuseum #japaneseart #asianart #artistlife #artistoninstagram #orangecounty #interiordesign #homedecor #beachhouse #hospitality

I was invited to volunteer with the California Dep

I was invited to volunteer with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife for a night of e-fishing to survey the largemouth bass population at Lake Skinner. An electric current is sent into the water, stunning the fish so that we can scoop them out of the water, measure and tag, and safely release them.
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I was amazed by the huge numbers of bass in the lake, and how large they were. I was told by the team that they encourage anglers to harvest some of the smaller legal sized bass. By doing so, the remaining bass will grow even larger.
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The next day, my nephew caught his first bass, and we decided to harvest it for a meal. But of course, a print for him to keep forever.

In 19th century Japan, before the advent of photog

In 19th century Japan, before the advent of photography, the gyotaku process was developed to document fish and other aquatic creatures by fishermen and naturalists.

A member of the California Fish & Wildlife asked me to print this pair of freshwater crappie. One of many freshwater species that he helps manage throughout Southern California.

A classical Japanese gyotaku of a Chinook Salmon f

A classical Japanese gyotaku of a Chinook Salmon from the waters of British Columbia.

Japanese Gyotaku and Urauchi process to return lif

Japanese Gyotaku and Urauchi process to return life back to a long preserved Humboldt Squid.

"Night Sky Squid" A color gyotaku of a Humboldt Sq

"Night Sky Squid"
A color gyotaku of a Humboldt Squid. Its broad mantle used as a canvas for a field of stars.

Gyotaku & Sushi, a natural combo. Los Angeles bas

Gyotaku & Sushi, a natural combo.
Los Angeles based private event chef @sushimikela came over with one of his favorite Japanese fish, the Sakura Masu, or Cherry Salmon.
But before Mike turned it into endless rows of nigiri sushi, we printed it using hand-ground sumi ink to create a memorable art piece for him.

We're offering another way of displaying our artwo

We're offering another way of displaying our artwork! When you purchase either an original piece or a reproduction print on washi paper, you can have us mount it onto a hand crafted, brocaded silk scroll. Let us know what you think!
Art by me, scroll by my wife Hazel @framing_for_gyotaku
Link in bio.

Gyotaku process with a herring. *does anyone else

Gyotaku process with a herring.

*does anyone else think of "Monty Python" when they hear the word "herring"? Just me?

In the 1800's, Japanese fishermen and naturalists

In the 1800's, Japanese fishermen and naturalists used ink and pigments to document aquatic creatures. The Gyotaku process.

I put my usual sumi ink away and brought out the a

I put my usual sumi ink away and brought out the acrylics for a color study with this octopus.
24x25.5 inches.

It's March, and I already miss being on the road o

It's March, and I already miss being on the road or cruising at 30,000 feet, filled with anticipation for new experiences. In the meantime, I can reminisce about all the wonderful places and people that travel has brought to our lives.

"Tangs, Moors, and a Lion"
29x16.5 inches

Something small and simple. A Hawaiian Yellow Tan

Something small and simple.
A Hawaiian Yellow Tang floating above a coral reef of suminagashi.
13x19 inches.

The art I produce is often a mirror of how I'm fee

The art I produce is often a mirror of how I'm feeling at the time. I've had an awful cold/flu, but somehow not covid, for the last week, and this is the image that came forth. It actually started out with me wanting to create something that felt serene. But no, my muse had something else in mind.
56x30 inches.

#gyotaku #natureprint #dwighthwang #gowiththeflow #inspiration #artistlife #artistoninstagram #mahimahi #dolphin #fishing #fishart #japaneseart #asianart

Only having seen these giant fish at the markets,

Only having seen these giant fish at the markets, I've always thought that the Opah were silver in color with red fins. It wasn't until Kate Bemis, a @noaafisheries marine biologist in D.C., shared with me that they are actually an iridescent orange when alive. Much like mahi mahi, their vibrant colors fade drastically as they die. Maybe that's why the Japanese call this fish "Akamanbou", or the "Red Sunfish."

Chef @kyleconnaughton of @singlethreadfarms expect

Chef @kyleconnaughton of @singlethreadfarms expects the best from all those that create for him, and art is no exception. His standards are extremely high, yet he gives space to allow one to push themself so as to create something beyond everyone's expectations.

This centerpiece depicts many of the ingredients used in this three week dining experience at @blueskyauberge
Thank you, Kyle. I am so honored to be a part of your team and culinary vision.

📷 by @troxphotos

My son and I were invited back to join a group of

My son and I were invited back to join a group of highschool students from Chattanooga Christian School @chargersccs
where my good friend and fellow gyotaku artist @themightybluegill is a teacher. We taught the students how to print fish, how to fillet, introduce them to snowshoeing and dogsledding, and coached them on skiing and snowboarding. In return, they taught us how to be young again.
Only a week with these kids, and I already miss them. I can't imagine being a teacher and having to deal with this bittersweet every year.

This little creature, which I got to keep during a

This little creature, which I got to keep during a @scripps_ocean research trip, is called a Strawberry Squid. It has small bumps all over its mantle, giving it a strawberry like texture. But what I find most interesting about this squid is that one eye is substantially larger than the other!