Behnaz Karjoo was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to the U.S. as a child. Karjoo developed a passion for art and delved into jewelry design and photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Inspired by Iranian mosque architecture, illumination, and calligraphy, she immersed herself in classical Islamic arts.

Guided by master Mujgan Baskoylu, she began studying illumination (tazhib) in 2011. Her dedication led to global exhibitions and a 2016 ijazet. Expanding her repertoire, she explored miniature painting in 2019 and kufic calligraphy in 2021. Behnaz is an active member of the New York Islamic Arts collective, preserving and promoting classical Islamic arts in the U.S. She believes in the timeless foundation of these arts, while continually pushing boundaries through experimentation with materials, colors, compositions, and designs.