Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Benjamin
Hi Jennifer, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began painting and drawing as a small child, with creativity being an integral part of my life from the very beginning. At 16, I sold my first illustration to a surfing magazine while living on my own in Puerto Rico. Throughout my 20s and 30s, I freelanced as a faux finisher and decorative painter for high-end residential and commercial clients, working with some of the top designers in Florida. Notably, I contributed to Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort as a lead scenic artist and appeared as a featured artist on two HGTV daytime shows in 2005. More recently, I was the Resident Artist at Univision’s studio for an Orlando morning show.
Transitioning to studio art, I channel my extensive experience as a scenic artist, decorative painter, and sculptor into my style of mixed media art and sculpture. I specialize in creating mixed media portraits, abstract resin-glass work, and product design. I work out of my home studio in the Dr Phillip’s area of Orlando, FL.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a challenging road. One of my biggest challenges was overcoming my resistance to turning my art into a business. For years, I struggled with the discomfort and cringe associated with sales, always believing there had to be a better way. During the onset of COVID, I discovered businesswomen who taught me how to approach business from a place of love and authenticity, attracting customers rather than manipulating them. This shift in mindset aligned perfectly with my values and allowed me to build my website from scratch and expand into product design.
Navigating these challenges is a daily commitment. It’s a continuous journey of facing and transforming negative self-talk and beliefs into authentic empowering thoughts, then taking action from that place. Understanding the brain and our subconscious has been crucial in this process, as has recognizing our innate worthiness. It is different than self-confidence.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I grew up as a first-generation Puerto Rican on a fruit farm at the Jersey Shore in the ’70s and ’80s, and frequently living back and forth between New Jersey and Puerto Rico. My heritage and unique life experiences heavily influence my art. This background is woven into every piece I create, infusing my work with rich symbolism, personal history, and my experiences as a spiritual seeker. My work is deeply rooted in female empowerment, which transcends gender because I believe everything is energy. I embrace the beautiful diversity of all beings and expressions of creation.
I specialize in mixed media and multidisciplinary art, with a particular focus on handmade 3D elements. My signature pieces include sculpted paper flowers and animals, a technique I developed over the years. I also love using invisible UV paints and inks to create hidden paintings or messages that only show up under UV light. I use it as a reminder of all the things around us that we cannot see; a reminder of the mystical and magic of life.
Gold and silver leaf are favorites in my work because of their powerful symbolism; every element is chosen with a deeper meaning in mind. I see mediums, textures, and design elements as a palette when designing a piece, not just color. Every choice has a purpose and tells a story. I do extensive research on my subjects to ensure each piece is rich with meaning. When people ask how long a piece takes, I always say my age at the time because whether a piece takes a day or years, my entire life experience goes into everything I make.
Each piece invites viewers to discover something new every time they look at it, often evoking strong visceral reactions. I have had the honor of having private collectors, including Latin Grammy and Emmy award winners, which has been incredibly fun and rewarding.
Today, I run my website, JenniferBenjaminArtStudio.com, where I offer my artwork and exclusive products showcasing my designs. Through my blog and social media, I share my creative process and the stories behind my work.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned on my journey is that we are all powerful creators of our own lives. Not necessarily artists, but creative beings. Our internal beliefs shape our lives, whether we realize it or not. Another huge lesson is understanding that we don’t get what we want in life; we get what we believe we deserve. This belief is often subconscious and requires a conscious commitment to change.
For me, what’s worked is having a morning ritual. Every day, I write Morning Pages while having my coffee. It’s my way of checking in with my thoughts. I also include meditation, vision work, and reading in my daily routine.
I wake up every day full of enthusiasm, eager to walk into my studio and see all the pieces and projects in progress. Just one example is my Queen-Age Life series. I’m constantly expanding and growing, and I love that my best works are yet to come. This keeps me fired up, and I want everyone to feel this way about their own lives and dreams. It’s the intention behind everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jenniferbenjaminartstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbenjaminartstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferBenjaminArtStudio
