Jocelyn Benford

About Jocelyn Benford I have always had creative interests and pursuits, but I didn’t begin painting until the summer of 2020. What started as a pandemic hobby has become a passion, and an essential part of my life. I have painted literally every single day in 2021 - a habit I plan to continue through the end of the year and beyond! Painting brings me peace, balance, and joy. It helps me maintain an even keel in these uncertain times.  I primarily paint in watercolors with mixed media elements. I’m inspired by the interplay of colors, shapes, and uneven lines, and I love the fluid, unpredictable nature of watercolor paints. I work very intuitively: I always have a starting point - a particular color combination or focal point - but then I just go wherever inspiration leads me. I’ll add some color or make some marks, and then I’ll pause and let the painting “tell” me what should happen next. I’ll work in this give-and-take manner, layer by layer, until I get a sense of completeness from the piece - and then I’ll know it’s time to stop.  I find myself particularly drawn to loose rounded shapes, which have become a recurring motif in much of my work. These shapes might take the form of circles, eggs, or nests, and they speak to me of wholeness, resilience, buoyancy, and harmony. They feel like home.