Member Interview: Illustrator Tiffany Shih

Where did you grow up, and how did that place (or those places) shape your work?

I grew up in Houston, Texas, with older parents and a sister ten years my senior. Because of health and mobility issues (and frankly, the Texas heat), I spent much of my childhood indoors, passing time by inventing worlds and talking with imaginary friends. I think that early comfort with solitude shows up in my illustration work. I like scenes where characters are in moments of self-discovery, or absorbed in private thought even when other people might be nearby.

Did you always want to be an illustrator, or did that come later?

My sister drew constantly in her tween and teenage years and was heavily influenced by 80’s manga. I have core memories as a kid peeking over her desk as she sketched and would sneak into her room to steal drawings to look at and copy. I just wanted to be cool like my older sister. Sadly, she lost interest over the years, but I was hooked ever since, and I knew bringing images in my head to life was going to be my superpower.

If someone were to follow you around for 24 hours, what would they see?

Oh geez. Embarrassingly, not a lot. I’m a night owl with old lady hobbies:

• Noon - Wake up
• 1pm - Lunch
• 2pm - 3pm - Work meetings, Computer admin, research, design work
• 4pm - 5pm - Maybe leave the house to run some errands
• 6pm - Dinner + TV Show
• 7pm - Nap
• 8pm - Light house chores & cleaning
• 9pm - Personal computer research time, admin etc.
• 10pm - Midnight: Creative Drawing and digital painting while I watch YouTube and listen to podcasts
• Midnight-2am - Some light sewing and craft projects
• 2-3am - Snack time
• 4am- Bed

How does your everyday life feed your work?

• I’ll find every and any opportunity to include stuff that I like into my drawings: antiques, period costumes, magic, tchotchkes ... etc. 
• I had a Siamese/Ragdoll mix named Moogle, who was the greatest love of my life. She passed away in 2021, and I’ve been sneaking her into the backgrounds of my drawings ever since.
• I think my life is pretty uneventful, which is why when I draw I try to draw scenes and events that I WISH were things I could experience.

Tell us about some accomplishments that make you proud.

• I made the soft decision to walk away from my day job late last year and decided 2026 will be the year I pursue illustration in earnest.
• I had back-to-back health issues from 2020-2023, undergoing eight rounds of surgeries in that time span. I’m super proud of my body for having endured that, and I feel so tough and strong for it.
• I’m really proud of our house. My husband and I purchased our dream historic home in 2019, and we’ve been slowly restoring and renovating it bit by bit ourselves, with some help here and there over the years. The work is never done, but it’s been a huge labor of love. It’s my nest and a huge part of why I love being a homebody. If anyone is interested in following along on our renovation journey we have an instagram.
• I’m extremely proud to be a part of the SCBWI family. Stepping into such a front-facing role like Illustrator Coordinator (IC) is something I never would have felt comfortable doing, if it weren’t for former IC Laura Fisk’s encouragement, and for everyone’s support, including Regional Advisor Anna Alsup’s leadership and Assistant Advisor Nataly Allimonos’ partnership. I’m so, so, so proud of the community and of the programming we’ve helped build, maintain, and grow.

What surprises you about the creative life?

How much discipline it requires. And how it’s more of a test of emotional and mental tenacity than it is of skill and knowledge, or even talent.

When a reader discovers your work, what do you hope they find?

I hope they find a sense of wonder and comfort (somewhere they can escape to or they would love to return to, time and time again. I hope they find it fun, novel, and cozy) like a little tent in a vast, magical woodland!

Favorite or most useful lighting techniques in your illustrations? 

I found these amazing poseable figures online that I use to stage-out fun character positions. I use a flashlight or a reading light to light scenes; then, I take photos and use those photos as lighting references for difficult drawings.

Most interesting or favorite thing you’ve learned as SCBWI Austin’s Illustrator Coordinator? 

That illustrators are like elusive Pokemon. We are hard to find and catch, but if you do catch us, we will be your ride or die friends. We are a loyal and passionate bunch.

Would you rather jump into the pages of a book, or invite characters from a book to dinner?

Jump into a different world. The one we currently live in is too scary a place to bring others into, unfortunately.

If you were a character, image, or concept in one of your illustrations, what would you be?

I’ve shamelessly already illustrated my younger self into one of my picture series. Ha.