Marine artist Lisa Lee Herman, owner of Gallery of the Arts Islamorada, is known throughout the Upper Keys for her gyotaku — the ancient Japanese art form for recording a catch.
Lisa greets her gyotaku-seeking clients, and the prized fish they want to preserve, at the dock following their angling excursions. She uses nontoxic inks to painstakingly press the fish on kozo paper, or traditional Japanese mulberry paper, and later details colorful embellishments at her studio-gallery in Tavernier.
Lisa uses nontoxic inks to press her fish “subject” on kozo paper, or traditional Japanese mulberry paper, and later details colorful embellishments at her studio-gallery.
She also expresses her creative talents in ways ranging from acrylic painting to teaching piano.
Lisa graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in psychology and music. In addition, she studied color photography and abstract painting at Scotland’s Edinburgh College, and studied and performed classical piano throughout Belgium and France.
After college, Lisa moved to Chicago and managed an art materials store — until the cold winters motivated her return to Florida. In late 2016, she opened her Florida Keys gallery.
Today, Lisa’s work can also be seen at Islamorada’s Green Turtle Inn and Kaiyo Grill & Sushi, and through Oct. 3 at the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center.
Lisa married Islamorada boat captain Jeff Tharp in a California vineyard in late August. They live in historic Tavernier, and she plans to expand her gallery.
Keys Voices: When did you first come to the Florida Keys and why?
Lisa’s goal with her gyotaku is to capture the beauty and uniqueness of each fish onto paper for all to enjoy.
Lisa Lee Herman: My family has been part of Islamorada since the early ‘60s — so since I was born. I was raised in Fort Lauderdale, and we visited our little spot in paradise nearly every weekend.
KV: What aspects of the Keys environment or way of life matter most to you?
LLH: I grew up fishing with my family, so I absolutely have to live near the water. What I love most about the Keys is the community. We’re all here because we share a common love for the ocean. The Keys’ environment is so unique — from the adorable Key deer, all the birds, flowers, insects, all alongside stunning coral reefs.
KV: Who or what inspired you to become passionate about respecting and protecting the Keys’ natural world?
LLH: My dad always showed us the coolest reefs to snorkel and the best spots to fish. I learned quickly how to respect the ocean and its creatures. Being able to handle fish, and release them, had me hook, line and sinker!
KV: How does that passion influence your work or profession?
LLH: My passion for the ocean and its influence on my art are 1000% connected. My art is produced mainly from species we get to then enjoy at the dinner table. Celebrating your catch with friends and family is so wonderful; keeping a piece of art made from that fish is really special.
KV: What are some of the ways, personally or through your work, that you connect with and/or help protect the local environment and unique lifestyle?
Lisa values the sense of community and shared love of the ocean that unite people in the Keys.
LLH: I’ve always been a friend to all critters on land or at sea. I feel most called to protect and spread the love and knowledge of our increasingly fragile oceans. I contribute time, art and donations to local causes. I bring a small bag every time I walk my dog and try to pick up any little pieces of plastics or trash. I know it’s cliché, but it’s so true: if we all do a little, we can do a lot.
KV: What keeps you energized, challenged and focused on your path?
LLH: The love and support from my family, my husband Jeff, the community and charter boat captains. Gyotaku, a challenging and ever-changing form of art, is never boring! Each species of fish is completely different from the next.
KV: What message do you want your actions and example to communicate to people you encounter?
LLH: My goal is to capture the beauty and uniqueness of each fish onto paper for all to enjoy. That translates to conservation: only take what you need. It breaks my heart to see people limit out, day after day after day, just for the sport of it. Everything in the ocean is connected to us. I want our next generations to see that.
KV: What’s your favorite natural or eco-friendly activity in the Keys?
LLH: Paddleboarding! It’s such a fun and peaceful way to get up close and personal with our natural world without any disturbances.
KV: What do you hope your positive environmental actions will accomplish?
LLH: To spread my knowledge and appreciation for this style of art and its origins, and how important our oceans are to each of us. Looking at the fishes preserved in this unique way hopefully strikes a chord in us all to find joy and respect for all species.
