US-based artist Zarina Natividad Docken’s diverse experiences in mathematics, theater, technology, and design inform her unique artistic perspective. Born in Manila, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of the Philippines, where she also cultivated her passion for theater as a playwright, designer, and actor. After immigrating to Chicago in the early 1990s and establishing a career in technology, she pursued a Master’s in Design from IIT Institute of Design.

Watercolors became her entry point back into the world of art in 2019. This seemingly simple medium captured her imagination, fueled by the inspiration and guidance of renowned artists like Marc Folly, Eudes Correia, Alvaro Castagnet, Keiko Tanabe, and Patricia Guzman. While watercolor is her main medium, Zarina draws upon past creative and intellectual disciplines to invigorate her visual art practice. Her work, characterized by luminous transparency and dynamic layers, has garnered recognition in national and international exhibitions and awards, including the International Watercolour Masters competition in England. 

In 2024, alongside her husband, Zarina co-founded Likhaya, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering artists through community and entrepreneurship. Her commitment to fostering creativity and supporting fellow artists reflects her belief in the transformative power of art.

JURIED EXHIBITIONS
Nov, 2024 “Contemporary Exhibit,” ALMA Art Interiors
Sep, 2024 “Unwrapping Lumpia,” a Filipino-American Art Exhibition
Mar, 2024, Woman Made Gallery’s 25th International Open
Feb-Mar 2024, Dellora A. Norris’ Annual Spring Show, “Watercolor 2024”
Oct-Nov 2023  “More Than Lumpia”, a Filipino-American Art Exhibition
Aug-Oct 2023, South Carolina Watermedia Society’s 46th Annual National Exhibition
May 2023, Rhode Island Watercolor Society’s The Limited Palette Show
Apr-May 2022, Illinois Watercolor Society’s 38th National Exhibition

CURATION
Sep 2025: Lumpia Fusion: Filipino Americans at a Crossroads, Epiphany Center for the Arts, Chicago IL

COMPETITIONS
August 2024, Stage 1 Finalist, International Watercolour Masters Competition 2024 (England)
May, 2024, Artistic Recognition, Art & Color 365 Magazine Competition
June 2023, Honorable Mention, Art & Color 365 Magazine’s Wildlife & Animals Competition
Mar 2023, Honorable Mention, Art & Color 365 Magazine’s Watercolor Competition
May 2022, Merit Award, International Watercolour Masters 2022

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS/ DEMONSTRATIONS
Nov 2024: Watercolor Portrait Demonstration at Lake Regions Watercolor Guild
Jul 2024: Watercolor Workshop for Project: VISION
May 2024: Guest Panelist + Watercolor Demonstration at the 2024 Cultural Expo at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum

EDUCATION & TRAINING
Nov 2023, Chicago USA, Abstract Painting with Joan Fullerton
Aug 2023, Chicago USA, Marc Folly: The Magic of Contrasts, 3-day workshop
Aug 2022, Chicago USA, Eudes Correia 3-day Workshop
May 2022, England, Patricia Guzman 3-day Workshop
May 2022, England, Eudes Correia 1-day Workshop
Nov 2021, Chicago USA, Keiko Tanabe: Express Yourself with Mood & Atmosphere
Sep 2021, Chicago USA, Alvaro Castagnet: Push Your Expressive Painting
Sep – Dec 2021, Evanston Art Center USA, Drawing & Painting the Nude: Long Pose
Sep – Oct 2021, Palette & Chisel, Chicago USA, Figure and Portrait in Watercolor
Jan 2021, Online, 2021 Watercolor Live!
Nov 2020, Online, Watercolor Workshop with Alvaro Castagnet
Apr 2020, Online, Masterclass with Eudes Correia
2009 – 2011,  Chicago USA, IIT Institute of Design / Masters, Design
1990 – 1994,  Manila Philippines, University of the Philippines / Bachelor of Science, Mathematics