Meet the Artist: Terrie Dahl Thomas

Name: Terrie Dahl Thomas

Preferred Medium: Rubbing dead fish on canvas, fabric 

Bio:

Thomas has been a Safety Harbor resident since moving here from Pennsylvania in the early 1980s. After going to school for environmental studies, she got a job at the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, working with the plants first before moving on to accounting for the water that comes from the Spa’s natural mineral springs. 

After becoming a mom, she read an article about the Japanese art of painting fish, called gyotaku, and her artistic instincts led her to attempt the intriguing craft. 

“I was always artistic, and when I read an article about it, I thought I’d give it a try,” she says of the ancient Asian folk art. “It was a lot of trial and error at first, and I was surprised when people started saying, ‘Hey, I like that. Can I have one?’” 

Did you know?

Thomas, who also loves photography and is an avid supporter of issues such as the tree canopy, gets her specimens from friends, relatives, strangers, and sometimes even when they are lying on the street.

She dries the fish first so the paint will adhere to it, and then covers it with rice paper or fabric; then she adds details and either mounts and frames them, or transfers the print directly onto a tee shirt. 

Much like snowflakes and fingerprints, no two rubbings are alike, making each impression a one-of-a-kind original.

Despite her talent, and a freezer full of a wide variety of fish, Thomas doesn’t do it for the money; in fact, she’ll do one for free just to get the fish. 

“Sometimes I put the word out and say I’ll give you the painting if I can keep the fish.” 

“It’s a smelly hobby, and I don’t make very much doing it because I’m not a good salesperson,” she admits. “But I enjoy doing it. It’s good therapy.” 

Where you can find her work:

Terrie’s fish rubbings are featured all over town. She currently has an exhibit of her work at the Safety Harbor Public Library; her tee shirts can be found at the Galleria on 2^nd Avenue South; and her paintings hang on the walls of Green Springs Bistro on 4^th Avenue North. She also has an Etsy site.

Whether she continues to rub dead fish or not, Thomas can always be found around town, supporting a great cause or soaking up the beautiful natural surroundings her hometown provides.

But if she ever decides to take her craft to the next level, she’s ready.

“I already have the domain name parked. It’s called ‘I Rub Dead Fish.com’.”