Doris Yen

Doris Yen (b. 1965) is a San Francisco native, and has been an artist at Creativity Explored since 1999. She is well versed in a variety of media, but watercolor and printmaking occupy most of her current art practice. The subtle delicacy of watercolor suits her exacting style, and her command of this notoriously difficult to master medium is exceptional. Yen’s attention is focused on the natural world and its inhabitants; whether real, historical, or imaginary, her portraits have selective and telling details that reveal as much about the subject as the artist herself.

Her Chinese heritage is evident in the content she explores as well as the sensitivity of her line, which echoes Chinese calligraphy. This sensitivity is also apparent in her printmaking, which began in 2009. Her delicate, assured marks portray fish, cows, monkeys, and creatures that defy description. Often isolated in the frame, and positioned against a solid background, these pieces combine a naturalist’s eye for detail with an artist’s sense of composition. Yen’s enthusiasm and identification with printmaking led her to Chinatown where she had a personalized signature stamp made, which is proudly applied to the corner of each completed piece.