Jeremy Fish and “Happily Ever After”

If you missed his show this month with Jonathan Levine, you can comfort yourself with a copy of his book Happily Ever After, which gets you promptly inside the head the storytelling Jeremy Fish.

Jeremy Fish “Happily Ever After” The Artwork of Jeremy Fish.

It’s unusual to see his work in New York (or in this case New Jersey) since after leaving Upstate New York nearly two decades ago this fine artist/commercial illustrator has been dancing in the arms of San Francisco. You think we’re being poetic about his West Coast cred, but he literally illustrated 100 drawings in SF City Hall over 100 days, was awarded with his own “Jeremy Fish” day by the city, might have the record for the most shows at Upper Playground Gallery, and has even collaborated with a cannabis company to create a branded oil and vape pen.

Jeremy Fish “Happily Ever After” The Artwork of Jeremy Fish.

You can see the influence of skater culture, tattoo culture, and Street Art/graffiti in his crisp aesthetic that brings animals, skulls, camping, and the chill life to every design and fantasy. Bombing around in a 1976 Dodge Van with a dream catcher hanging off the rearview mirror is not just a mindset for Fish, it is a natural fact. It’s also a symbol for his wandering spirit.

With exactitude and whimsy and a bit of sarcasm wending its way through this handsome hardcover, you can get an insight into the paintings, screen prints, sculpture and murals that Fish did over a recent 6 year period. Naturally it ended Happily Ever After.