Feb 1996 - Present

Sima Jo is an American figure painter, currently residing in Thousand Oaks, CA. After receiving a bachelors degree in the arts from Laguna College of Art and Design (2019), her focus has been the creating and exhibiting of impressionistic oil paintings. Painting from the subconscious, Sima Jo makes these pieces with little to no photo reference- in desire to explore self and show what is to be found when there no deliberate control over the subject matter. Her work can be found in private collections all over the country.

Much of her current work plays with the idea of how fluid our energy can be within our environment and among each other. Painting an emotional state in physical form, she explores the visual realm with intent to show others just how easily we fluctuate and morph into our surroundings. Her inspiration to paint lies within self expression and what is to be expressed in the viewing and listening of others.

Current Exhibitions

Art of Painting in the 21st Century

Natsoulas Gallery, Davis CA

October 12 - November 12 2024

2024

Oceanside Museum of Art More Disruption

June 8 - September 15, 2024

70th Anniversary Los Angeles Municipal Art

Gallery

Los Angeles, CA

2023

Beverly Hills 50th Annual Art Show. May 20 & 21.

10am - 6pm. 9455 N Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills

Past Exhibitions

2023

Articles of Clothing. Group Show. She/They Gallery.

Santa Ana, CA

2022

Porcelain. Solo Exhibition at Topa. Ventura, CA

Learning Cursive. Group Show. South Arts District Studios

2021

A Wall Waiting for a Piece. My Art Is Real. Online Exibition

2020

Five Threads Group Show. Westlake Village, CA

2019

Labyrinth of Language. WERKARTS at The Olympic DTLA

Five07 Creative Festival. King Gillette Ranch Calabasas,

BFA Fine Arts Exhibition. LCAD Gallery, Laguna Beach

Lightning In A Bottle Art Clave Gallery. Kern County

The Envision Gallery. Envision Festival, Uvita, Costa Rica

2018 Of Machines & Men. Salt Fine Art, Laguna Beach

Lightning in a Bottle Live Painting & Exhibition, Bradley

The Grove on Forest Solo Exhibition, Laguna Beach

LCAD Student Juried Show, Laguna Beach

Publications

2023

Article 8. Art Squat Magazine.

http://www.artsquat.com/articles8/

Artit “100 Artists: Bringing Figures to Life” Volume i

2022

Artit Arts and Humanities Website

https://artit.net/artists/simabenson

2020

Art Leove Online Gallery

Capsules Book Portfolio, Curatorial Volume ii

2019 .

Create! Magazine Miami 2019 Edition

Pikchur Magazine Issue VI

2018 “Childish Force of Nature” by Laurence Fuller

“La’s Most Inspirational Stories” Voyage LA

Education 

2016- 2019

Laguna College of Art and Design. Laguna Beach, CA