Today we’d like to introduce you to Harley Van Hyning.
Hi Harley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Art has been a part of my life early on as my mother is an artist and went to the Royal Academy in London for her art education. I naturally took to it and was always encouraged to be creative or keep art going somehow. Considered art college but got a PR degree then started a podcast in 2006 before anyone knew what that was or started listening to them. I started experimenting with the art form of Gyotaku in early 2015 to use on merch for the start of a lifestyle brand with the podcast Destin and got obsessed with it! I was painting the fish I caught and my friend’s fish. I had canvas all over my house and was just loving it! A friend suggested signing up for a local festival to start selling my work and that’s when it started in 2016, it was on!
Here we are 7 years later as full-time artists and never once dreamed of being an artist. I love it so much I work just about every single day unless there are waves then I’m surfing haha! I’ve gotten to where I am now from sheer passion and hard work. Also, just grateful I get to do what I do! My main mission statement is just to show up no matter if you think something good is gonna happen or not. Every day you show up for yourself you are moving forward to living your dream. You never know who you may meet that can steer the course of your ship. One person can be life-changing synchronicity.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
So before I started painting I was bartending at a seasonal beach bar called Pompano Joes. I worked from March till October which gave me 4 months off. At first, I was working 5 days a week for 10-12 hrs a day. This is high volume and nonstop drink slinging. I would paint before work and after work. One year in particular I had to wake up at 4 am to paint then go to the bar all day and then paint after till about midnight. I was doing that every day that summer because I had to produce and make a transition out of the bar if I wanted to be an artist. The off-season allowed me to have time to produce lots of work to do a few art festivals during the first few years. The bar helped alleviate financial pressures so I could just paint with no pressure and enjoy it. Also, my coworkers were very awesome with picking up shifts last minute when a special fish was caught or I had a commission call. They were very supportive! That year in particular I remember just being so whooped and praying in tears at night in the small studio space that I want to make it as an artist. That year in particular was vital and I knew I had to push through! After that year, I decreased my shifts each year till I felt I was sustainable.
Here we are today full-time artists and answered prayers, but the work isn’t done. I’ve had growing pains with managing all the hats I wear. I got to maintain business tasks and ordering materials, etc., but then still keep painting which is emotional and a different head space than the business mind. It drives me crazy! I just want to paint but got to handle business to keep growing and moving toward my goals and my dreams! Of course, I can set times to do those tasks, but… I get called to the docks to paint at all different hours (early morning or sometimes middle of the night) and also I have deadlines for commissions at different times. Mix in the creative flow with that which can be on or off haha! Trying to get into a regular routine has been very challenging and I’m at the place to hire a manager so I can just paint.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a Gyotaku artist. Gyotaku (pronounced Gee-yo-tak-oo) is a Japanese art form that began in the early 1800s when fishermen would paint their fish in black ink and make a print/rubbing with rice paper to record their catches. I’m nontraditional in the art form using acrylics and color with canvas/linens. What I’ve been known for is the additional detail work I do to the point that makes it life-like. Also, the raw prints and how I use color initially seem to be a favorite as well. It’s not perfect like the traditional ink prints but has unique textures and imperfections that create this organic print of the fish that’s way different than the traditional approach. The mediums I use for detailing create an experience with the lighting.
Also, I like capturing the dramatic expressions of fish. The eyes are very special and that’s what initially captures you then the rest of the life forms from their size to their characteristics are captivating. You can’t see that in the photos or videos which I think makes my work very unique. It’s an in-person experience only. I’m currently working on a big blue marlin that’s detailed in black. When it’s finished there will be nothing like it ever done! I really put my soul into honoring every life form from the seas I paint. I hope it leaves people in awe of the life that exists in our oceans and brings about more attention to keeping our seas full of life. I want to take the art form in completely different realms!
I’m very excited about what I got coming up and where my work is going to go!
How do you define success?
“Doing everything with your whole heart and you will be successful”. It’s a fortune cookie reading I have above my light switch when I come into the studio.
Reminds me to live with purpose and passion every day. That to me is a success. That will never go away nor can anyone take that from me. I could lose everything and still live with that in my heart daily and I’ll be happy with my every day.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies with the size of the painting and how much detail work is involved. A sailfish are fully detailed and measures 86×38” and would be priced at $8200.
- A Redfish raw print with no detail work measuring 32×16” would be priced at $525
- The Blue Marlin that’s being detailed will measure 136×52” and will be priced at $22,000.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gnarlyfishprints.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/gnarlyharley
- Facebook: Facebook.com/GnarlyFishPrints
Image Credits
Tanner O’Keefe
