Describe your style:
Chasing the rainbow. Some passionate sparkles tangled with liquid.
Can you share a little about the piece and how you conceived of it:
Ink mountain is inspired by the great artist Zhang Daqian, he was so creative and used advanced coloring in traditional Chinese painting. His signature coloring was called “heavy coloring” which including light greenish blue, and sunset red with very heavy black ink, colors that I find very special and passionate. I’ve interpreted this in my own way by combining Chinese ink painting and western street art. Click here if you’d like to see Ink Mountain as a work in progress.
How did you come up with the name Shadow?
Back when chat rooms were still popular I called myself lovingmyshadow, as I’m obsessed by images of lights and shadows. I never meant there to be any ninja or vampire association, it’s a really soft and gentle name in my opinion!
Who/what are your creative influences?
Wacky and talented people I meet, my friends, my strangers, they’ll never know how they influence me, because sometimes only a small word can be very powerful to me.
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
A drawing of ducks and swans like a farm scene, I drew it directly onto our kitchen door.
What is your favorite color?
A vintage shade of blue.
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
I don’t know if I deserve this comparison, but any music by Robin Guthrie.
What’s the most unusual thing that’s ever inspired a piece of your art?
Love!
What things have you seen recently that are going to inspire a piece of art?
Buddhist art. It is so colorful and has so many great details with crazy but clean lines, and the most important part is every bit of it carries meaning, blessings and longings.
What’s the most unusual canvas you’ve painted on?
Bowls made of china, they are very hard to paint on!
Could you share three things in your work space that inspire you?
My childhood Lego robot, my candle and lots of food.
Who are three artists whose work you admire?
Luis Barragan, Paul Smith, James Jean.
What websites do you check out regularly?
deviantART, Design By Humans, Threadless, James Jean’s blog ProcessRecess. Sometimes when I am very bored I check LookBook.nu.
What are your most treasured possessions?
I never treasured any material, I treasure friendships and memories.
Any advice to other artists thinking about submitting artwork out there?
It’s more important to search in yourself than to search for what is popular.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I’m have a show with Archan Nair 12th-22nd March at Projeto gallery in West Yorkshire, UK.
shadow chen
