Meet Tyler Fisher

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tyler Fisher. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tyler, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Through all of my trauma and turmoil, rising above one’s circumstances seems ever-present in my work. Yet, it may surprise people to know that I didn’t initially intend for my work to delve so deeply into this concept. Initially, I rejected the notion that I was resilient or that I had done anything remarkable in escaping a life of abuse. Growing up in a whirlwind of chaos and manipulation, one must either learn to adapt or otherwise risk being swallowed whole. My father’s authoritarian grip forced me to find ways to escape mentally and emotionally, even when I couldn’t do so physically. Art became my sanctuary, free from the burdens of reality. Because of this, I was hesitant to allow my personal trauma to infiltrate my creative process.

Early in art school, a particularly brilliant professor shattered these reservations. In her class, she guided us through the conceptual potential of art, challenging our ideas of what art could be—not only within the gallery but also within the conventions of our viewers and ourselves. One pivotal lesson had us create unconventional books dealing with our greatest traumas. I began tentatively, using symbols from my childhood dining room to discuss broader societal traumas, maintaining a safe distance from my raw experiences. During one session, as we worked on our projects, my teacher asked about what I was making. She pressed me to explain its meaning and relation to my trauma, and with her insistence, the floodgates opened. Without fully realizing it, I began elaborating on the imagery, my memories, and the complex situations of my youth. It felt like mere moments had passed, but when I stopped talking, the previously buzzing classroom was silent, each eye riveted. One woman was crying. An older man whose project dealt with trauma from his military service told me I was a stronger man than he was. My teacher’s mouth hung agape. Class ended soon after, but not before my teacher and classmates assured me that I had the tools to create incredibly powerful work if I tapped into this reservoir of content.

Since then, I’ve allowed—but not required—myself to gradually explore this trauma and its many layers within my work. I transformed mundane objects into tools of immediate escape, such as in my “Toaster Parachute,” briefly displayed at the HIGH Museum in Atlanta. I’ve adopted a visual lexicon populated by bunnies symbolizing lost innocence, planes symbolizing aspirations to transcend, and hoodies serving as armor and cages. Exploiting the materiality of my subjects, my works delve into futility and form, transforming moments of profound vulnerability into haunting relics of survival, such as in my exhibit “Charlie T Foxtrot” which features a hand-made tunnel book allowing one to place themselves in my own grave. Regardless of subject or approach, I hope that each piece serves as a reminder that vulnerability can be a source of strength, not weakness.

By escaping my trauma and refusing to let my past define me, I transcend its power over me through my art, exploring its potential to benefit others. Each piece I create stands as a testament to survival, reclaiming one’s narrative, and turning pain into something meaningful—sometimes simply by embracing the absurdity of the situation. It’s about facing the darkness, acknowledging it, and then defiantly creating light out of it. That’s where my resilience comes from.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Tyler Fisher, a designer driven by a passion for exploring complex themes through innovative artistic processes. My work delves into memory, trauma, and identity, weaving these elements into evocative installations, drawings, and sculptures. Serving as meticulously crafted but ultimately futile methods of escape, my truth teeters along the edge of possibility. Each piece I create is a fragment of a larger narrative, a testament to survival and transformation that aims to spark a dialogue rather than a monologue. Serving as a catalyst for conversation, each challenges viewers to reflect on the fragility of ambition, the delicate balance between fact and fiction, and the beauty in transcending our past traumas.

I have the incredible privilege of being a full-time artist, working and collaborating daily with my partner, Katy Lipscomb. Katy’s vivid watercolors breathe life into lush landscapes and fantastical creatures, adding layers of wonder and magic to our collaborative works. Despite seeming antithetical to my own work, our skills and passions complement each other perfectly. Together, we blend our distinct artistic styles to create beautiful and inspiring designs. We are constantly experimenting, working with new clients, and pushing our creative boundaries. Together, we have created pieces that are far stronger than anything we could have achieved individually, showcasing that the alchemy of art often lies in the unexpected fusion of disparate elements.

Our latest and most exciting venture is the release of “The Artist’s Drawing Book.” Released in late 2023, the book has already garnered awards for its design and has been widely acclaimed for its innovative approach to teaching the art of drawing. This project holds particular significance for me as it represents a confluence of our artistic journeys. Filled with step-by-step tutorials that reflect our diverse techniques and experiences, the book makes art accessible and transformative for everyone. This project has allowed us to blend our strengths and explore new territories in art, resulting in a comprehensive guide rich in varied experiences and perspectives. Evolved from our teaching experiences, the book distills our collective knowledge and combined expertise into an interactive book covering everything from the technical to the expressive. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness how our work can spark creativity and confidence in others, helping them find their own voices, just as art helped me find mine.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

If I had to narrow it down, I would say that three distinct lenses have profoundly shaped my creative growth: viewing my work through a curatorial lens, adopting a scientific approach to experimentation, and embracing a business mindset. Integrating these perspectives has helped me build a robust skill set, a distinct style, and a sustainable market for my work. Each of these elements has enormous potential to enrich your practice, helping you develop a fulfilling creative practice that not only resonates deeply with audiences but also stands the test of time.

Viewing my work through a curatorial lens has been fundamental in creating a cohesive and impactful body of work. Much like a curator meticulously collects, organizes, and presents art to weave a coherent narrative, I’ve learned to gather inspirations, symbols, and stories that inform my creations. This approach has enabled me to build a personal visual language that is uniquely mine, allowing my pieces to connect through recurring themes and motifs. For instance, in my work, bunnies symbolize lost innocence and vulnerability, planes represent aspirations to rise above circumstances, and galoshes signify trudging through difficult periods. By shrouding difficult themes in layers of symbolism, I invite viewers to navigate the narrative at their own pace, provoking deep reflection and personal interpretation. Curation, for me, is storytelling at its finest. For those starting their journey, I recommend collecting and organizing inspirations, connecting themes, and mastering storytelling. Look for symbols and metaphors in your past that can be translated into your work. This integration adds depth and authenticity, allowing you to craft a unique artistic voice. To improve your grasp of symbolism, immerse yourself in narratives—read voraciously, watch films, and listen to good music. Pay attention to the elements that make up each, considering how they each engage the viewer, learning how you can weave your personal story into your own work. Remember, effectively using symbolism opens up your art to a wider audience, allowing layers to be uncovered by those who wish to find it while remaining beautiful for those who might not. Use this lens to help craft an immersive world and to build a cache of ideas for when you might hit a bit of creative block.

Art, like science, thrives on experimentation and discovery. I recommend adopting a scientific mindset: embrace experimentation, think of your audience as collaborators, and never stop learning. There are so many lessons that can be learned through this lens. Approach each project as an experiment, measuring success not just by the final product but by the insights gained along the way. By treating my creative process as a series of experiments, I have explored different techniques, materials, and concepts in depth, continually growing from each innovation. The results from these explorations would be too numerous to count, but one poignant example allowed me to gain as much information from my audience as possible in a controlled setting. I divided an audience into thirds, each experiencing a different iteration of my piece, “Cigarette Syringe”: one group experiencing it as a detailed hand-drawn illustration, another as a high-resolution photograph with an accompanying soundscape, and the third viewing the piece in its entirety as a live performance. Observing the spectrum of emotional responses from viewers, I discovered that ambiguity wielded far greater power than pure clarity, with the audience shown the photography being far more impacted than those who witnessed the piece in full. Ambiguity, in this sense, is not a lack of information but rather employing haziness to captivate and engage. This strategic withholding allows the audience to fill the gaps, transforming them from passive observers to engaged co-creators, each bringing their own experiences and emotions into the interpretative space. The results from this not only surprised me but enthralled me, and I carry this knowledge with me into every new work. Such discoveries would not have been possible without a scientific approach to my creative process.

As a collaborative team, adopting a business mindset has been essential for sustaining our artistic practices. Taking our art seriously while maintaining a sense of play and experimentation has allowed us to grow without losing sight of our goals. Consistency in style and quality helps build a recognizable brand, fostering audience loyalty. Monetizing our art revealed that finding the overlap between what we love to create and what people want to buy is both sustainable and fulfilling. Understanding the business side of art has allowed us to navigate the art world more effectively and reach a broader audience. In our recent book, “The Artist’s Drawing Book,” we explore why having a business mindset as an artist is crucial not only for sustaining your creative practice but also for thriving in a competitive environment. One of the first steps in adopting a business mindset is understanding and recognizing the value of your work, not just considering the time and materials invested but also the emotional and intellectual worth. We also go over the many different ways that you can profit from your creations without having to compromise your vision, from exhibitions and residencies to licensing and direct sales. For emerging artists, develop a business mindset by taking your art seriously, building a consistent brand, and finding easy ways to monetize your work to help you sustain your practice in a way that keeps you creating.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I’ve always believed that, when given the option, one should embark on the path you know the least about, and this philosophy has undoubtedly shaped my entire artistic journey. In art school, each person must declare a major area of study: Painting, Drawing, Textiles, Graphic Design, Sculpture, Photography, Ceramics, Jewelry, and so on. I felt strongly pulled towards drawing and painting—areas I felt comfortable in— but I had never been surrounded by so many marvelous opportunities to try new things. Ultimately, the prospect of venturing into the unknown was far too enticing. So, I chose sculpture, the discipline I knew the least about, viewing it as a gateway to simultaneously explore as many other mediums as possible. This decision was transformative. It allowed me to not only learn how to weld, build wooden constructions, and cast bronze but also to explore the intersections of these skills with other mediums. Interdisciplinary study led me to discover lithography and papermaking through printmaking, patterns and processes in fabric design, marketability and business acumen through graphic design, and a keen eye for installation and spatial composition through interior design. Art history, too, played a pivotal role, broadening my understanding of how my work fits into larger contexts and movements.

There’s a kind of magic in consulting with people who specialize in vastly different fields. These interactions not only expanded my technical skills but also enriched my conceptual approach. For instance, my piece “I Chose the Ladder” combines elements of sculpture, performance art, and even a bit of industrial design to symbolize the fragility and potential for destruction inherent in our attempts to climb above our past. When conceiving this piece, I had no idea how fluorescent lighting worked and had never attempted anything so reliant on knowledge of electrical circuits, but by reaching out to those around me, I found these were hardly hurdles. The fluorescent tubing, the intricate structure, and the performative climb—all these elements come together to tell a story that’s both ephemeral and profound. Without my foray into different disciplines, this piece, and many others, would undoubtedly lack the same depth and impact.

By stepping out of our comfort zones, we broaden our skill set, enriching our primary strengths with new perspectives and techniques. Now a cornerstone of my practice, this willingness to explore the unfamiliar has led to some of my most innovative and impactful works. It’s not just about becoming a jack-of-all-trades; it’s about creating a richer, more nuanced body of work that reflects a tapestry of influences and experiences. I encourage everyone to explore the unfamiliar, understanding that it will inevitably influence and enhance what they do know. The pursuit of knowledge in novel territories can lead to unexpected and often serendipitous discoveries, breeding creativity, innovation, and even resilience. So, I encourage you to take that ceramics class even if you’re a painter. Dive into graphic design even if you’re a welder. You never know where those seemingly disparate paths might lead you or how they might profoundly shape your work. Being well-rounded doesn’t mean diluting your strengths; it means fortifying them with the richness of varied experiences. And in doing so, you craft a unique, interdisciplinary voice that stands with far greater relevance.

My art is more than just a reflection of my past—it’s a testament to the transformative power of creativity and an invitation for others to find their own strength in vulnerability. Art has the power to heal, provoke, and transform, turn pain into beauty, and create light out of darkness. My resilience is evidence of this truth, and through my art, I strive to share that light with the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tyler-fisher.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tfishart

Image Credits

Artworks by Tyler Fisher. Light Ladder Photography by Mika Fengler