Patricia Benitez has been interested in art ever since she was a child. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Arts from New Jersey City University in 2010, where she specialized in painting and drawing. She also has an art teaching certification for grades K-12. Benitez is currently pursuing a graduate program to obtain a Master of Fine Art Degree.
“I remember sitting in front of family members and drawing their portraits for them,” she said. “I always loved to draw and paint, it came as a second nature. I loved to look at art, I loved to study it.”
Some of the innovators she idolizes are Leonardo da Vinci and Peter Paul Rubens. Her inspiration comes from the Great Master paintings, focusing primarily on the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Benitez is drawn to the “amazing” color and light.
“Hands down, the three artists that have helped me to develop into the artist that I am today are Ben Jones, Hugo Xavier Bastidas, and Gerardo Castro,” she said. “They are remarkable artists, who have shown their work all over the world. They each have very unique ways of working, and very unique ways of teaching.”
“I remember sitting in front of family members and drawing their portraits for them.” –Patricia Benitez
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“Not only have they helped me to become a better artist in terms of technique, but also in terms of how I think about the art world as a whole. In order to find a niche, it’s been important for me to keep abreast of what’s contemporary, and keep up with the times. It’s very easy to get caught up in my own little world, so their constant reminders to look outside of myself have helped me immensely.”
Macabre, with a touch of surrealism
She has worked in oil painting, drawing, 2D mixed media, digital print, and sculpture. A few of her collection titles have an other-wordly tone: “Romance Void,” “The Blindness Series,” “Metamorphosis,” “Flesh and Bone” and “Body Landscapes.”
“Most of my works are indeed for sale,” said Benitez, “and vary in size from two inches to seven feet.”
Her digital prints can be priced anywhere from $25 apiece, and her larges scale oil paintings are priced at $1,000.
“I also do commissioned work, so I am always willing to negotiate prices and payment options with my clients.”
Benitez has exhibited her artwork since 2005. She has shown her work at New Jersey City University, Jersey City; The Paterson Art Walk; three consecutive yearly shows at Postcards from the Edge, New York City; Shades of Java, Jersey City; and most recently, Fetish Art Night in Union City.
Some of her solo shows have been “No Light Perception” in Jersey City and “Vitrified” in Edgewater.
She has also done commissioned mixed work for local bands, graphic designing logos, flyers and newspaper ads for e-commerce sites as well as individuals.
Her work has also been published in publications like The Taj Mahal Review (2006); WWAR Arts News (2009); The Gothic Times (2009); The Bergen News (2010); the book “Metamorphosis” (2006), and the upcoming collaborative book, “Anthologia de Poeta Incarcerare”.
“I try to display my artwork at a variety of venues,” said Benitez. “Currently, two of my pieces can be seen at Shades of Java in Jersey City. My next artwork showing will be at the Parralax Art Fair in Soho, this August, where I hope to debut a new series I am working on. There is no admission for either venue.”
Benitez is grateful to those who supported her throughout the years in all her ventures.
“I could not have gotten as far as I have now without the moral support of my loved ones and those who genuinely enjoy my work.”
Vanessa Cruz can be reached at vcruz@hudsonreporter.com