Shelly Drews, the Artist behind the Laughing Fish

Meet Shelly Drews, the artist behind our whimsical wooden fish. Since 2014, Shelly has been carving each fish using a bandsaw, transforming simple pieces of wood into colorful works of art. Every fish is carved, sanded, primed, painted, and finished by hand, making each one truly unique. Her playful designs and love of color have become a signature part of our gallery and continue to bring smiles to homes across the country.

Each fish begins as a simple wooden board in Shelly's workshop. She starts by sketching the design directly onto the wood before carefully cutting out the shape with a bandsaw. Then each fish is sanded down to a smooth finish, primed and painted. Each fish is individually carved and painted, no two are exactly alike, making every piece a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Shelly Drews working on a set of custom wooden waves, handcrafted to complement the fish collections of her longtime collectors. Each wave is cut, shaped, and painted by hand in her Michigan workshop.

Shelly has always been a creative person, constantly making and creating things by hand. Long before she began carving her signature fish, she sold her handmade creations at local craft shows in Ludington, Michigan. Her journey with the wooden fish began in 2014 when she started cutting them out for Michigan Artists Gallery alongside her son, Calvin. What began as a small creative project quickly grew into a signature style that people connected with. Many of the first fish they created together were Stand Fish - the famous Wall Fish came later on. Soon Calvin and Shelly we’re selling fish at other art galleries in Northern Michigan, including the Ruth Conklin Gallery in Glen Arbor and Art & Soul Gallery in Traverse City, Michigan.

As Shelly and Calvin's fish began finding homes with collectors, their work expanded into several local galleries throughout Michigan. Eventually, Calvin moved to Malaysia and stepped away from making fish, but Shelly continued to grow the business on her own. She expanded her collection to include her signature wall fish, colorful minnows, porch fish, and standing fish, each one handcrafted and painted in her distinctive whimsical style.

In 2019, Shelly and her daughter, Kirstie, decided to take a leap and open Laughing Fish Gallery in Suttons Bay, Michigan. They dreamed of creating a space where they could share their artwork directly with visitors. The gallery brought together Shelly’s handcrafted wooden fish and Kirstie’s paintings and prints under one roof, allowing the mother-daughter team to create a colorful, welcoming destination that celebrated handmade art and Northern Michigan creativity.

The front windows of Laughing Fish Gallery in Suttons Bay, Michigan.

After almost 6 years in business, Kirstie and Shelly began to feel the dreaded feeling that many artists running small business feel..burn out. Kirstie had her son in October of 2023 and as priorities shifted, the mother-daughter team began to feel it was time for a new chapter. They closed the Suttons Bay store at the end of 2024.

Local artist, Shelly Drews, priming a new collection of Minnows.

Even though the gallery in Suttons Bay closed - the creativity didn’t stop! Kirstie and Shelly continued to create happy works of art and spent 2025 recharging their creative batteries.

Shelly continued to spend 2025 carving and painting happy fish. The break from the retail shop allowed her to focus more deeply on her creative projects and fulfilling custom orders from her collectors.

In October of 2025, Kirstie and Shelly began looking for more studio space and discovered one at The Grand Traverse Commons. The new space functions as Kirstie’s (aka EchoFoxx) studio as well as a showroom for both Shelly and Kirstie’s art. You’ll find the full collection of Shelly’s wall fish, stand fish and minnows at the new Laughing Fish location.

Here is how to find the new location for Laughing Fish Gallery.

The Grand Traverse Commons

Enter 800 Cottageview Drive, Traverse City Michigan into your GPS. Park across from Pleasanton Brick Over Bakery (The Commons has free parking) and look for sings for “Historic Tours” and “Kirkbride Hall". Use the Kirkbride Hall Entrance and take the stairs or elevator to the 2nd floor. Find us right next to Kirkbride Hall.

Local prints and cards by Kirstie Drews (aka EchoFoxx), are on full display at Laughing Fish Gallery.

Shelly’s signature “wall fish" at the new Laughing Fish Gallery location.

Enjoy the bright and cheerful creations by local artists Kirstie and Shelly Drews.