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Gyotaku/Surfboard Project
Location
Tamarindo, Guanacaste
Project type
Gyotaku on Surfboard
This one-of-a-kind surfboard features a real mahi mahi printed using the traditional Japanese Gyotaku technique. The fish was carefully inked and pressed by hand, preserving its natural detail and spirit. A fusion of surf culture and fine art — crafted by the sea, for the sea.
I am available for appointments 24/7: my art can be very last minute so I am available at any time.
Last minute phone call for fish printing will always be available as well but not outside of Tamarindo.
Contact me to make an appointment (Call me +1 (714) 723-1207, or send me an email Christian_montano@aol.com)
This is an important step!
I have my own cooler bags that keep ice and fish fresh for days. For best quality, we will meet before your fishing trip. I provide a bag of extra ice because boats here don’t keep a lot of ice. You can bleed the fish but do not cut the bottom of the gills attached to the body.
It is not included in the price. Paintings will be rolled up and shipped in a tube. Framed paintings are only available in Costa Rica and will be sent through encomiendas to destination.
I often have pieces framed and ready to sell in the United States as well, on this occasion shipping framed paintings in the US will be available as well.
Paintings can be sent internationally through DHL unframed in a tube. Shipping costs are very reasonable and typically arrive in 3-5 days depending on location in the country.
Custom orders depend on the availability of your desired painting.
Fish paintings require the desired fish. Some fish aren’t available in Costa Rica while they are available in Mexico or another neighboring country. I am constantly trying to expand my inventory with special species and catches from around the world.
Botanical pieces are typically available year round with Costa Rica’s natural biodiversity.
Custom orders can take anywhere from 2 weeks-2 months.
Contact me for more information on custom pieces.
There are 100’s of different kinds of rice papers. All with different personalities, stiffness, and textures. But there was a unique allure of Dragon Cloud rice paper, a remarkable handmade product directly from Japan. Crafted from a special blend of kozo and mulberry, this distinctive paper stands out not only for its exceptional qualities but also for its rarity, as it may be the only one of its kind available in Costa Rica.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in working with Dragon Cloud, mastering the nuances of its texture and stiffness. Understanding how it interacts with moisture and absorbs paint has allowed me to create stunning works of art that truly reflect the paper's unique personality.
The art of wet mounting “Urauchi” is a delicate and crucial second step in my creative process. This technique involves applying a specially formulated paste to the painting while laying it on a flat surface, such as glass. The moisture from the paste allows the painting to stretch, creating a smooth and even surface.
While the process requires a gentle touch and steady hands—since any mistake has the potential to tear the artwork—trusting in the technique brings stunning results. Once fully dried, the painting is carefully peeled from the surface, revealing a beautifully mounted piece ready for framing. Each step in this process enhances the character of the artwork, transforming it into a true masterpiece.
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I will provide a certificate with a QR code for each piece