POP : GRAFFITTI : REALISM
Shen’s artistic style is all her own. She initially made a name for herself as San Francisco Bay Area’s first female graffiti artist in the 80’s. After her apprenticeship under John Pugh, she received a formal education in art at the Illustration Academy in Kansas City, studying under Mark English and Fred Otnes.
Highlights of her career include commissioned works for icons such as Carroll Shelby, Jack Nicholson, Liza Minelli, Don Cheadle and William H. Macy. She has also been a featured artist for NYC Comic Con and the San Jose Museum of Art.
Timeline of Notable Accomplishments, Exhibitions, Press and Projects
2019 – Two historic court portraits commissioned by Supreme Court Justice John Devine for 190th District Court, Houston TX, and Supreme Court, Austin, TX
2019 – “Masterpieces: ART Imago Dei” Exhibit. Katya DuPond, curator. Art Gallery CFBC – Spring, TX
2018 – “Respect: Hip-Hop Style & Wisdom” Exhibit. Oakland Museum of California
2018 – Painted Dan Crenshaw live at his election night victory party. The Houstonian Hotel, Houston, TX
2017 – Partnered with The Tim Tebow Foundation to paint live at “Night To Shine”, a world wide one night prom event for special needs teens. Spring, TX
2016 Commissioned portrait for actor William H. Macy
2016 Live painting during Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah
2015– present – Gold Mountain Gallery Show, Telluride, CO
2015– present – Park City Fine Art and Old Towne Gallery in Park City, Utah Show
2015– present – House of Blues carries Shen’s work in all North American locations
2015– present – Art Mecca of Charleston, SC Show
2015 Commissioned Mural by Homestake Peak School Eagle-Vail, Colorado
2014 Commissioned Mural for Oakwood Homes, Murray, Utah
2014 Sold 1998 painting of “Stickman” for $20,000
2014 – present – Metropolitan, Beaver Creek, CO Art Show
2013– 2016 Walt Horton Fine Art Gallery Show, Beaver Creek, CO
2013 Commissioned painting for actor Don Cheadle
2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge First Place Poster Contest Winner for Beaver Creek, CO
2012 – present – Official Arts Writer/Blogger for Artist Daily (American Artist’s Online Magazine)
2011 Commissioned E-Street Band recently deceased member Clarence Clemons for Bruce Springsteen
2011 – present Studio 57 Fine Art Gallery, New York, NY
2011 Featured Artist at NYC Comic Con
2011 Commissioned by town of Avon, CO to paint public street chalk mural for USA Pro Cycling Challenge
2011 Sold out show and live painting at Vail Jazz Festival, Vail, CO
2011 Featured Artist and Keynote Speaker, NYC Contemporary Art Fair, Jacob Javits Center
2011 Village Frame Art Gallery Show, Houston, TX
2011 Sold Out Show ArtExpo NY
2011 Seven Arrows Art Gallery Show, Woodland Park, CO
2006 – 2011 Relocated from CA to the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Gave birth to two beautiful daughters
2005 Featured Artist Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, CA
2005 Featured Artist San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA
2005 Sold first painting in the 5 figures
2005 Commissioned to paint a 55 x 12 foot public school mural, “A Future with a Promise”, Livermore, CO
2004 Famous Faces Collection show at “The Rodeo Collection”, Beverly Hills, CA
2003 Featured Live Painting Artist, Affaire of the Gardens, Beverly Hills, CA
2003 Jack Nicholson acquired a painting of himself
2003 Liza Minelli acquired a painting of herself
2002 Kensington Art Gallery Show, Campbell, CA
1999 Designed Art for Fashion, Bebe, San Francisco, CA
1998 Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, CA
1998 Featured Artist in Airbrush Action Magazine & workshop instructor nationwide
1998 Created one of a kind swimsuits for the USA Olympic Synchronized Swim Team
1998 Exclusive Collections Gallery Group Show, La Jolla, CA
1998 Gallery 54 Group Exhibition, SoHo, New York
1998 Degree received from The Illustration Academy, Kansas City, KS
1998 Studied under Master Golden Age American Illustrators Mark English and Fred Otnes
1997 Painted AC Cobra for automotive designer Caroll Shelby
1995 NBC Morning News Feature (San Francisco Bay Area)
1994 Apprenticed under Trompe L’oeil Master, John Pugh
1990 Created set designs for Hip Hop artist MC Hammer
1992 San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art Group Graffiti Installation, San Jose, CA
1990 Monterey Jazz Festival – Clint Eastwood admired Shen’s work
1989-1992 Apprenticed full time under San Francisco Art Instructor, Sun Bear
1988 Featured on TV show “Home Turf” showcasing talented teens in the SF Bay Area
1987 The Works Gallery Installation, San Jose, CA
1986 Installations in Graffiti Art, San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA