You know what? Fish art makes a room feel calm. Not sleepy. Just calm—like a clean breath after a storm. I didn’t plan to build a little school of fish in my house, but here we are. Kitchen, bathroom, and even the hallway got some fins. If you’re hunting for broader inspiration beyond your walls, the rotating gallery calendar at Metro Arts often features contemporary marine pieces you can browse online. I also chronicled every purchase and mishap in this step-by-step fish-art experiment if you want the blow-by-blow.
Let me explain what I bought, what I made, and what held up when life got messy. For a broader dive into ocean-inspired pieces beyond fish motifs, I loved skimming this candid review of sea-themed wall art; it saved me from a few impulse buys.
The Print That Started It: Cat Coquillette’s Koi
I grabbed an 11×14 “Koi Fish” art print by Cat Coquillette from Society6. Matte paper, bright ink. I popped it into an IKEA HOVSTA frame (16×20) with the mat. It went in my bathroom first. Warm steam, daily light, kids’ splashes—real life.
- Colors: punchy coral, teal, gold, and clean lines. It reads fresh.
- Paper: thick, not flimsy. No weird shine.
- After 8 months: no warping, no ink bleed. I wipe the frame weekly and that’s it.
Small gripe: the print arrived curled. It flattened after a day under books, but I fussed and used way too many cookbooks. Worth it though. It still makes me smile while I brush my teeth.
My “Serious Fish”: Nick Mayer’s Rainbow Trout
My dad is a fly fisher, so I bought an 18×24 giclée print by Nick Mayer—Rainbow Trout —for his cabin wall. Deep greens, tiny specks, real fin detail. It doesn’t look cartoony. It looks studied, like a field journal that took a long walk.
- Paper feels archival and sturdy.
- The color stays true in low cabin light and bright afternoon glare.
- Frame: I used an IKEA RIBBA with UV acrylic. No yellowing so far.
One note: it’s wide and bold. It steals the show from smaller art nearby, so give it space. That said, it kind of earns that space. It looks like it knows more than I do about rivers.
Getting Messy: I Tried Gyotaku at Home
I love old craft methods, so I did a DIY fish print—Gyotaku—on my kitchen table. Yes, with a real fish. I used a whole red snapper from the shop, Speedball water-soluble block printing ink (black), a soft brayer, and Blick mulberry paper. I inked the fish lightly, laid the paper on top, and rubbed with a baren (my hand, honestly). Then I added a tiny eye with a brush.
- The first print was too inky. Blob city.
- The second was magic. Scales showed. The fin lines looked almost ghost-thin.
- Clean-up: warm soapy water. It took patience.
Two real talk tips:
- The smell is real. Do this with a window open and lemon on standby.
- Keep baby wipes nearby. Ink travels. It jumped on my elbow and then my shirt. Classic me.
I framed the final print in a slim black frame and hung it over the coffee nook. Guests always ask about it. It’s personal, a little wild, and very “who did this?” Me. I did.
A Quick Digital Pond: Procreate + Mpix
I also tried a digital fish on my iPad with Procreate and an Apple Pencil. I used the Water brush and a light paper texture, then printed a 12×18 lustre at Mpix. Soft blues, ink-like lines, tiny gold specks for scales.
- The print came clean, no banding.
- It’s not as tactile as Gyotaku, but it’s crisp and easy to match to a room.
Downside: screen colors can trick you. Mine printed a touch cooler, so I warmed the file and reprinted. Second try nailed it. If you’re curious how translucent materials change the vibe, here’s what happened when I hung glass wall art all over my place—it’s a surprisingly good companion to the fish pieces.
How It All Holds Up
- Humidity test: the CatCoq print in the bathroom? Still flat.
- Sun test: Nick Mayer under UV acrylic? No fade I can see.
- Kid test: frames get fingerprints, but the art stays safe.
And the feeling? The fish set a tone. Calm but bright. Like a deep breath with a grin.
Little Things That Bug Me
- Shipping curls on poster prints—plan a day to flatten.
- DIY Gyotaku can smudge fast. Light ink, steady hands.
- Cheap frames ruin good art. Spend a tiny bit more on the frame than you think. Your wall will thank you.
Tiny Tips If You’re New to Fish Art
- Use mats. White mat, natural wood frame—clean and coastal without being cheesy.
- Go big once. One large piece anchors a room. Then add small ones if you want.
- If your walls are cool gray, try fish with warm coral or gold. Balance helps.
- For the kitchen, choose inks and paper that won’t curl. Mulberry or thick watercolor paper works well.
- Bathroom? Use a sealed frame or switch to an art print that won’t fog up inside the glass.
Who Will Love This
- Beach dreamers with no beach house. Same.
- Anglers and science folks who like real detail.
- Kids who love bright colors and animals.
- People who want calm art without a boring vibe.
My Short List
- Society6 “Koi Fish” by Cat Coquillette (11×14) in IKEA HOVSTA: bright, playful, easy.
- Nick Mayer Rainbow Trout giclée (18×24) in IKEA RIBBA with UV: bold, classic.
- DIY Gyotaku with Speedball ink + Blick mulberry paper: messy, soulful, so satisfying.
- Procreate fish sketch printed at Mpix: polished, quick, flexible for color matching.
Thinking about fish art often gets me day-dreaming about actual coastlines, and Myrtle Beach—with its blend of boardwalk charm and Atlantic sun—always pops up in my travel notes. If you ever want to pair a seaside trip with some elevated adult company, this curated guide to Myrtle Beach companions offers an easy-to-browse directory of reputable, professional escorts, complete with bios and verified images, so you can design a sophisticated night out that’s as thoughtfully curated as the art on your walls.
Final Take
Fish art surprised me. It makes rooms feel light and sure of themselves. It’s sunny but not loud. And you can go fancy, crafty, or digital, and still land something that just feels… right.
If you want one piece to start, grab a koi print and a good mat. If you want a story on your wall, try Gyotaku on a weekend with a lemon and a fan nearby. Either way, you’ll catch a little joy. I did.
Curious how the trend is bubbling up beyond everyday homes? Interestingly, some A-listers are now showcasing koi and coral pieces in their own living spaces; you can see who’s embracing the aquatic vibe in this round-up of celebrity art moments where you’ll find décor snapshots, style takeaways, and smart tips you can steal from the stars.