About the Artist

Richie Gudzan is a Southern creator and conservationist, born in Georgia and raised alongside the woods, creeks and coastlines of Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama. Water holds a particular magnetism for Richie, and his experiences fishing, surfing, and paddling shape the soul of his artwork. Richie uses big brushes, striking composition and stark contrast to evoke power, subtlety, and flow in his paintings.

Fish are some of Richie's favorite subjects. His recent work is rooted in an old Japanese printmaking technique called Gyotaku (ghee-oh-TAH-koo). Using the actual fish he catches, covering them with non-toxic pigment and gently laying handmade natural-fiber paper on top to reveal a mirror image imprint, Richie makes his art. Once the prints are dry, he composes and mounts the fragile paper to a wood panel, and finishes the painting in thin glazes of vibrant color. His fish are cleaned and eaten after the initial prints are created - never wasted. Water is life to Richie, and his art is about story, connection, respect and gratitude.