WTOC Interview
Tybee Island artist combines art and fishing through ancient Gyotaku technique
Updated: Jan. 24, 2026 at 1:49 PM EST
TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - An artist on Tybee Island is blending art and fishing through the ancient Japanese technique of Gyotaku, or fish printing, while supporting marine education programs.
Kaylee Hettenbaugh’s artwork begins on the open water rather than inside her studio along Highway 80.
“I take real fish, paint them with ink, and then press rice paper on top, so I get the impression of the fish, I go back in and paint in watercolors to match it to what the fish looked like when it came out of the water,” Hettenbaugh said.
The technique is called Gyotaku, a traditional Japanese art of fish printing. Hettenbaugh first learned about the process while working on a charter boat during her time at SCAD. Friends in the fishing community introduced her to the art form, and once she tried it, she was hooked. What started as a hobby quickly became a full-time passion.
“That was around 2019 when I started practicing, and I’ll be coming up on two years of having the gallery in April,” Hettenbaugh said.
For Hettenbaugh, Gyotaku is the perfect blend of two lifelong loves, fishing and art.
Each piece starts with an actual fish, carefully laid out and coated in non-toxic black sumi ink. Rice paper is pressed over the fish, capturing every detail and groove. When the paper is lifted, it reveals a mirror image, the foundation of the artwork.
“The next step is to do my research about the fish. So, I go in and make sure I understand the anatomy. So, when I’m going to start with my line work and color, I’m doing everything correctly to what the fish really is,” Hettenbaugh said.
Through the process, Hettenbaugh says she’s learned more about marine life than she ever imagined and still has plenty more to discover.
Hettenbaugh is partnering with Lowcountry Grit, a local company that connects artists with meaningful causes.
“We partnered her with Grey’s Reef because we thought that that was a perfect collaboration. You know, Grey’s Reef is such a critical resource to our community. And they just made a perfect fit for each other,” said Alexa Frame, founder of Lowcountry Grit.
Together, they’re releasing shirts and drinkware featuring her designs, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center in Savannah.
“Grey’s Reef has such a critical impact in this community. They are not just supporting the reef, they are supporting the educational outreach within our community. They do it through the Discovery Center where people and children, especially those with sensory needs, can go into a low sensory environment. And they have this beautiful exhibit that they have just created where you can go in and it’s very 3D and sensory oriented. But they also work really hard with educational outreach into the community,” Frame said.
With every fish she prints, Hettenbaugh isn’t just creating art. She’s helping educate others and protect the oceans that inspire her work.
Mirror Image Fish Printing is located at 1016 US-80 E, Tybee Island, GA 31328.
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