Bio
My name is Shirley Chen
Born in 1942 in Czechoslovakia, a village then called Tetchen, to a Chinese father and German mother.
When I was about 5 we moved to Italy, years later to Taiwan which was my father's wish to be closer to his roots China. I spent most of my grown up life in Taipei until I moved to Los Angeles in 1993. Became a citizen and lived here until now.
My family was poor while I was young , at 18 I got my first job at the US Navy Exchange . One of my memorable thing was my first pay check $700 NT dollars (U$25.00), I felt so rich ! I spent 13 years in this company until I got a job at May co. over seas buying office. (now Macy's) . I was solely working for the fashion industry through out my career.
My life probably was the same as most of the parents in those days....making a living, be a responsible parent, very little personal life. I had no chance to get higher education, but , in a way I was actually blessed to be one accepted for high positions in a great fashion company , but, most of all I learned so much during the working years.
My parents were quite talented, my father painted, carved, wrote books played instruments, my mother played Zitter (a stringed instrument), and was good at other instruments too.
I guess I inherited some of their talent. Looking back, I received constant compliments during the years of my career, for my eye on colors, textures and clothing designs. I guess they saw something in me . I believe the seed for my future was planted then, and to be good on my art journey with all that I learned .
So, about 12 years ago finally I started to paint, experimenting for a year , found where my strength was and continued with it until now.
I am someone who has to feel free, on one hand I am grateful for not having the chance for formal Art training, because I have the freedom to paint whatever I feel...no rules, unfettered, also can utilize my work with the knowledge learned in the fashion field . My artwork is therefore unique original personal style.
Thank you for your time reading my unpolished short story that came straight from my brain and heart . Hope that it was not too boring.
Let me end with this quote :
Be grateful for all the things that have made life beautiful, always remember a grateful life is a beautiful life.
Born in 1942 in Czechoslovakia, a village then called Tetchen, to a Chinese father and German mother.
When I was about 5 we moved to Italy, years later to Taiwan which was my father's wish to be closer to his roots China. I spent most of my grown up life in Taipei until I moved to Los Angeles in 1993. Became a citizen and lived here until now.
My family was poor while I was young , at 18 I got my first job at the US Navy Exchange . One of my memorable thing was my first pay check $700 NT dollars (U$25.00), I felt so rich ! I spent 13 years in this company until I got a job at May co. over seas buying office. (now Macy's) . I was solely working for the fashion industry through out my career.
My life probably was the same as most of the parents in those days....making a living, be a responsible parent, very little personal life. I had no chance to get higher education, but , in a way I was actually blessed to be one accepted for high positions in a great fashion company , but, most of all I learned so much during the working years.
My parents were quite talented, my father painted, carved, wrote books played instruments, my mother played Zitter (a stringed instrument), and was good at other instruments too.
I guess I inherited some of their talent. Looking back, I received constant compliments during the years of my career, for my eye on colors, textures and clothing designs. I guess they saw something in me . I believe the seed for my future was planted then, and to be good on my art journey with all that I learned .
So, about 12 years ago finally I started to paint, experimenting for a year , found where my strength was and continued with it until now.
I am someone who has to feel free, on one hand I am grateful for not having the chance for formal Art training, because I have the freedom to paint whatever I feel...no rules, unfettered, also can utilize my work with the knowledge learned in the fashion field . My artwork is therefore unique original personal style.
Thank you for your time reading my unpolished short story that came straight from my brain and heart . Hope that it was not too boring.
Let me end with this quote :
Be grateful for all the things that have made life beautiful, always remember a grateful life is a beautiful life.