Loren Di Benedetto’s Still Life artwork are elegantly painted, rich in colour, fascinating compositions. Items from nature, such as nuts, birds nest, fruit and veg, are gloriously displayed with delicately toned backgrounds and cloudy, blue skies.
Loren’s floral and landscape work is bold, colourful and captivating and her paintings of dogs and cats are delightful and filled with detail. In all of her work, Loren beautifully captures the engagement of light and shadow, which emphasises the depth and the qualities of her subjects.
You can view Loren’s work and make enquiries about her art on her website: https://lorendibenedetto.com/
She is on Instagram
Catch up with Loren on Facebook
You can buy her work at Art Cellar Online Treesplace The Hughes Gallery & Anderson Fine Art Gallery
Please talk a little about where you grew up and what you do now….
I grew up in New Jersey and was always interested in art. My parents were extremely supportive and were very artistic, so I was always surrounded by creativity. After high school, I went to DuCret School of the Arts in Plainfield NJ where I received classical art training. After that, I enrolled in classes at the National Academy of Design (now National Academy Museum and School) and The Art Students League both located in NYC. I moved to North Carolina in 1990 where I still reside as a full-time oil painter. I have a studio in my home and I paint every day.
As an artist what inspires you to paint?
I think nature inspires me to paint, I love organic subject matter. The way the light falls upon ordinary objects to create mesmerizing shadows. Walking and looking down on the ground to find a fallen leaf that is begging to be immortalized on canvas. I am always looking to “see” everyday things in a new way.
When did you realise that you wanted to be a professional artist?
I am really not sure when I knew that I wanted to be a professional artist, it kind of just happened.
What do you enjoy about being a professional artist and what do you dislike about it?
I love everything about being an artist. I think my favorite part is the solitude, I find peace painting at my easel. I feel so fortunate to be able to do what I love every day of my life, I cannot imagine it any other way. There is absolutely nothing that I dislike about it.
Whose work has been the greatest influence on you and why?
All of the artists that I have studied under have influenced me but David Leffel stands out the most. I was very fortunate to be able to study with him at the Art Students League. Although our styles are very different, he inspired me to focus on light and shadow, which I believe drives my work.
What do you enjoy about painting Still Life artwork?
I love still life painting because the subject can be manipulated easily into whatever composition I want. Also, the possibilities are endless…so many subjects to choose from.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started your artistic career?
Hmm, that is a tough question. Perhaps I wish I knew not to be so hard and critical of myself and my work. It took me a long time to even call myself an artist, I guess it is the perfectionist in me. On the other hand that is what makes me strive to be a better painter.
What plans do you have for the future?
My only plans for the future are to never stop painting and continue to improve my skills.
Loren Di Benedetto