Deep Hawaii Art: Reproduction Tina the Tako Octopus

  Artist: Deep Hawaii ArtTitle: Tina the TakoMedium:  Embellished with Prismacolors on washi paperSize: 20" x 30" framed Lāna`i artist Kristin Belew painstakingly embellished this life-size reproduction of her Gyotaku print with Prismacolors.  Gyotaku is a traditional Japanese style of fish printing where each original piece of art is taken right from the fish. Kristin applies acrylic paint to the actual octopus then presses rice paper onto the specimen to receive the paint. She then adds in details!   Fun facts from Kristin:   In Hawaii, Octopus are referred to by their Japanese name which is Tako.  The Hawaiian word for octopus is He’e and the species most commonly harvested is the Day octopus (Octopus cyanea.) Although octopus is a very popular and sustainable food source (listed as “a good alternative” under Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Program) for many people living in Hawaii, it is one I refuse to harvest for myself.  I absolutely love these creatures and cannot bring myself to