Maine-based artist Nate Garrett's work is grounded in the tradition of gyotaku, or Japanese fish printing, and draws upon traditional and experimental subjects and printmaking techniques. Nate is interested in capturing the flora and fauna of his home state of Maine with this unique artform while also building upon and stretching the bounds of classical gyotaku to include other nontraditional subject matter. 

Nate’s objective is to help the viewer connect with his artistic subjects in a personal way. Gyotaku provides both a stimulant – the subject – and a blank slate on which the viewer “paints” their own experience and memories. Stripped of environmental cues, the viewer gets to read their own experience into the subject.

In 2023 Nate appeared on the TV Tokyo network introducing Japanese audiences to his style of gyotaku. His work hangs as part of a 2023 exhibition at the Hall of AWA Japanese Paper Museum in Tokushima Japan. A collection of Nate's work will hang at the Maine Maritime Museum in celebration of the 30 year anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Bath, Maine and Aomori, Japan.

Nate is a commissioned & licensed artist and a sought after speaker and presenter. He has taught workshops and given presentations at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Acadia National Park, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Maine State Aquarium and many other educational and nonprofit venues.

When not printing Nate and his wife can be found exploring the waters of Casco Bay or the neighborhoods around their home in South Portland, Maine.