
About Shayla Fish

Shayla Fish is a versatile artist based in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Art has always been more than a hobby. It is my sanctuary and the way I make sense of the world when words are not enough. Since childhood, it has been the place where I retreat, reflect, and rediscover myself through line, color, and composition.
That deep connection to creativity led me to earn a BFA in Art Education, where I have had the joy of teaching students of all ages—from curious preschoolers to dedicated adults. Teaching allows me to share more than just skills. It lets me share the wonder of making.
Creating art feels much like being a scientist. I am always experimenting with materials, pushing ideas, and chasing unexpected sparks that lead to new discoveries.
I believe that every artist benefits from staying curious. Whether just beginning or well along the journey, continuing to learn and explore is what keeps the creative spirit alive.
While I love drawing and painting, collage is where my heart truly lives. The process of collecting, arranging, and reimagining pieces into something entirely new is endlessly fascinating. Whether I am working digitally in Photoshop or cutting paper by hand with scissors and glue, it feels like solving a strange and beautiful puzzle. Sometimes the best pieces are the ones that seem not to belong.
My artistic practice moves fluidly between mediums. I create hand-painted illustrations, digital artwork, murals, paper collages, drawings, CAD models, needle felt sculptures, ceramic forms, and more. I am always exploring and evolving.
Inspiration comes from both the world around me and the worlds within me. I am especially drawn to the intricate beauty of scientific botanical illustrations and the whimsical wonder of stories like Alice in Wonderland.
My work is shaped by the artists who have inspired my path, including Dorothea Tanning, Frida Kahlo, J. J. Grandville, Higuchi Yuko, Nathalie Lete, Mab Graves, Mark Ryden, Robert Crumb, Bill Plympton, Hayao Miyazaki, Satoshi Kon, Beatrix Potter, and many more.




Publications




The Coloring Studio Magazine
Somerset Studio: The Art of Paper and Mixed Media


DPI Magazine Taiwan