Shen doesn't pursue a representation of the physical world, rather he tries to visualize his emotions that subtly arise from the beauty of the scenery before his eyes.

Although he has been applying oil paints to his brushes, Shen's work is exerted with an introverted, scholarly temperament, which is a tradition of Chinese intellectuals.

Born in Beijing, Shen spent his childhood in Sichuan province. He often says, "I grew up in the embrace of mountains and waters of Sichuan. ... I was somewhat guided to talk with nature in the path of art."