A Manatee County artist recently risked her life to create an original piece of art.

Linda Heath is a Gyotaku Fish Artist.

The Bradenton resident said she got into the Japanese art form of fish rubbing with ink on rice paper after discovering it while on a business trip through New China, Taiwan and Hong Kong three years ago.

“Gyotaku is what I tongue-and-cheek call the fish taxidermy,” said Heath. “It’s the actual fish and all of its personality. I try really hard to capture all of its scales and its personality.”

The lifelong angler and diver taught herself how to do the Gyotaku Japanese art form and now creates her own version using a variety of local salt water fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico near where she lives.

“I do small fish, game fish, tarpon, and grouper,” said Heath. “I’ve done a trifecta of fish, the redfish, trout, snook, all of the local fish that are swimming in this area.”

In the studio of her home, Heath works on her art, using a variety of fish caught by herself and friends.

However, there was one fish she hadn’t worked on until recently. Risking her health, Heath took on a lionfish.

“It was very exciting and nerve wracking because the fish is highly poisonous,” said Heath. “I think the lionfish has 18 very sharp needles on its fins that are highly poisonous and can be fatal.”

The lionfish is an invasive and dangerous fish threatening native fish and the ecosystem.

“I wore three pairs of gloves and I was very careful,” said Heath. “It’s very exciting to be able to accomplish this. I don’t know of any other fish rub of a lionfish.”

Heath said she put herself in harm’s way in hopes of not only creating an original piece of artwork, but also to spread awareness about the dangers of this fish.

“It’s my way of promoting awareness to the community through my art of the lionfish and how we need to eradicate it,” said Heath.

The fish rub of the red, brown and cream species fish is now finished. It’s a risky piece of art, she hopes others will enjoy. The artwork is truly unique.

There are only 4-originals of the lionfish rub and 500-limited edition prints. Heath said that will most likely be the only lionfish rubs she ever does.

“And I doubt that I’ll ever risk my life rubbing a lionfish again,” laughed Heath.

Heath said each piece of art takes her about 25 to 30 hours to complete. The originals are selling for $1,800 framed.