U'Ren was born in Palo Alto, California. She first attended Rhode Island School of Design from 1986–87, then transferred to and earned a bachelor's degree in fine art from The Cooper Union, New York, New York in 1991. U'Ren also attended the Whitney Museum of American Art's Independent Study Program within the Artist's Studio department from 1991-1992. Her art (both fine and illustrations) has been shown in many galleries and group shows. U'Ren currently lives with her son, Sebastian, in Portland, Oregon. The name Uren, sometimes changed to U'Ren, is of Cornish origin.
