Never Say ‘Never’

 

“Tremendous Tranquility,” featured on the cover of The Pen Woman, Summer 2025 (digital painting)

By Dianne Lynn Benanti, Palm Springs Branch

I was in my 40s when I dedicated myself to art, and from there, practice made perfect. I created portraits in oil as well as charcoal.

During a time when my life was on hold, a friend mentioned digital art. He told me that digital can be done anywhere from a laptop. I scoffed at the idea: How dare anyone compare digital to oils? I immediately replied, “Never!”

Digital software can create paintings that look very real. It can never be a true oil painting, but perhaps can still draw in the viewer with its beauty. Digital still needs to be created by hand and requires the geometry that can only come from the artist. The other advantages that I found were that art was faster to create and very easy to erase.

My first attempt at submitting this new medium of work was on a show I have been in love with for years: CBS Sunday Morning News with Charles Osgood, now hosted by Jane Pauley. After five years of creating and submitting, I am now one of the leading artists to have my suns on CBS Sunday Morning.

This ultimately led to viewers asking about where they could purchase my work, which prompted me to create my licensing accounts.

I’m excited about an online site called Zazzle that allows customers to customize their names and event dates on my images, which can be placed on thousands of products. Event party planning all in one place! My favorite gifts so far are the metal lunch pails that can be used for so many purposes.

I’ve been a NLAPW member for 15 years. I have recently started my first Instagram account and hope to connect with people who follow CBS, as well as with other Pen Women.

Find Dianne Lynn Benanti and her work at:
• zazzle.com/store/sunshinecentral
• instagram.com/sunshine.4.cbsnews
• benanti.com