Diana Benigno and her brand - Book Tree House
A Queens-based painter who brings words to life; creating colorful art for your home or office.
In its own, quiet unassuming way the beautiful neighborhood of Sunnyside, Queens has become something of a trendy place to live and raise a family.
Nestled between Astoria and Long Island City, Sunnyside has an ambiance all of its own, with plentiful green spaces and a welcoming small-town feel. People here actually greet each other by name when out shopping, grabbing coffee and a bagel, or just strolling down the street.
If you just happen to be a foodie, there are dozens of inviting bars and restaurants to choose from, particularly along with the tree-lined environs of Skillman Avenue. We're talking establishments such as the Copper Kettle, Belo, Sanger Hall, Globe Tavern, the Alcove and so many more.
In addition, there's also quite a wellness and arts scene popping up with many yogis, artists and young entrepreneurs choosing to settle down and live the good life in Sunnyside. And, start their business there.
This peaceful, creative hub is also home to a young, talented mixed media painter and calligraphy artist by the name of Diana Benigno and her exciting, one-of-a-kind brand The Book Tree House.
And when we say that the products that Diana offers are totally unique, we're not kidding.
When you shop Diana's online store or her Etsy shop you'll discover an enthralling selection of products that will not only captivate your eye but speak to you emotionally, as well.
Utilizing her skills as a painter and calligrapher, Diana offers items that range from paintings, bookmarks, stickers and greeting cards to original art that is created on the pages of upcycled vintage books.
Even that hard-to-please person in your life is sure to be wowed by a thoughtful, original gift courtesy of the Book Tree House.
One of Diana's most popular offerings, though, is her incredible Word Splashes. These wonderful works of art consist of various literary or motivational phrases as well as song lyrics set against colorful retro fashion or pop art designs.
They are, indeed, a sight to behold and will most certainly enhance the ambiance of your apartment or office cubicle. And that's something we could ALL use.
Diana's Word Splashes incorporate a variety of intriguing calligraphy styles.
By the way, in case you are not acquainted with this form of artistic writing and lettering, calligraphy has been around for thousands of years in one form or another, dating back to the ancient Chinese Qin Dynasty and the glory days of the Roman Empire.
The art of calligraphy, though, really came into its own during the medieval era.
Monks throughout England, France and the rest of Western Europe hand-wrote copies of the Bible and created official documents for their nations' rulers, utilizing calligraphy-style lettering.
Calligraphy is defined as visual art that is related to writing, using either a pen or an ink brush. But, you can experiment and use other instruments too, as Diana occasionally does.
Nowadays, most of us associate calligraphy with the fancy, colorful script that can be found on wedding invitations or hand-lettered business logos.
Diana, though, takes things a step further, elevating calligraphy into something that blends tradition with modern sensibilities and a whimsical touch of the unexpected.
Diana was kind enough to sit down with Aplez.com to talk about her brand The Book Tree House as well as her journey as an artist.
Born and raised on Long Island in a small town by the name of Malverne, Diana has always had strong ties to Queens. Diana's mom is originally from the Flushing/Corona neighborhood and every Sunday, when Diana was growing up, the family would gather at her Abuela's (grandma's) house in Howard Beach for a big dinner.
Diana joined her boyfriend in Sunnyside several years ago and has fallen in love with the area. Sunnyside's impact on Diana, as a person and an artist, has been huge.
"Sunnyside, to me, is a lovely, vibrant neighborhood where every block is like another realm. I enjoy seeing all the families walk up and down Skillman Avenue with their scooters and strollers. In the Spring, it's especially gorgeous, because each available patch of earth is blooming with roses and other greenery."
"The farmer's market down on the corner keeps us abundant in fresh veggies, fruits and jam as well as scrumptious pastries, which Diana laughingly added, "do NOT last for very long in our household."
Diana enjoys exploring the foodie scene in Sunnyside. One of her favorites is Claret Wine Bar.
"They have the best pairings of wine and nibbles in the entire neighborhood. I dream about their salmon tartine. The Globe is great for a brew. My boyfriend's been living here for years and years, so he always regales me with stories about how the nabe morphed from being largely Irish and Korean to a mix of Latinx together with Europeans and Asians. Which means that we are spoiled by the diverse culture and cuisine available to us."
Naturally, Diana's surroundings serve as everyday inspiration for her art and positive outlook on life, in general.
"I love being surrounded by trees with a view of the city. This is exactly where I want to be. The view of the Chrysler building, all lit up, at night in the distance is amazing."
Diana's brand The Book Tree House has been in existence since 2016. During that time, Diana, was in the trenches of grad school, working hard to obtain her Master's in theater.
"I was reading and memorizing scenes and monologues of the great theatrical and literary giants of our world; from Sophocles and Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams and beyond. I was truly in my element and wanted to explore new ways of expressing my passion for the written word. I had made a habit of rewriting my lines for memorization. But, then, I was gifted with a set of calligraphy pens and thus began to try and find a way to turn my labor into art."
Friends and family loved Diana's literary creations, so she decided to place them on Etsy and see what happened. The response from the public was quite encouraging, to say the least."
"Visual art has a drama all its own, and a sense of freedom. I feel so unrestrained when I paint. There is no lined paper or style I have to conform to." added Diana.
Just in case you were wondering, the brand's name, the Book Tree House, originated way back during Diana's childhood.
"The name came from a tree sculpture I had created one Christmas entirely out of books. My Grandma, who was my Dad's mom, had passed away a few weeks before the Holiday and we didn't get a tree that year. On Christmas Eve, I couldn't sleep and got up in the middle of the night and started piling books on top of one another in the living room. I did my best to arrange them into a tree-like pattern."
Even back then, Diana was ever the artistic one, decorating the books with traditional Christmas lights that rested on the volumes' covers.
"It looked wonderful, " said Diana, smiling at the memory. The image stayed with me as a reminder of my love for my family. Expressing that love and feeling through words and art is something that I want to share with others."
Diana is all about bringing the written word to life. On the Book Tree House's
website, Diana states that " Words Matter". This is a philosophy that Diana adheres to, day in and day out.
So, taking the above into consideration, our artist had no trouble coming up with various quotes that have inspired her through the years. Sometimes, a few heartfelt words are the best medicine for when one is having a bad day.
"I teach and practice yoga, so a lot of my favorite quotes are meant to incite strength, mindfulness and perseverance," revealed Diana. "I like quotes such as " Be like water"; which, I think, Bruce Lee said."
"What you seek is seeking you", from Rumi, has brought me out of bouts of loneliness and disconnection. I also love these words from The Great Gatsby;" ....and so we beat on, boats against the current."
A huge Harry Potter fan, Diana lives by the insightful words of Professor Albus Dumbledore, particularly ..." It is our choices in life that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
"Oh, and one more," added Diana." I've had this plaque since high school that says, " It's never too late to be what you might have been." That saying has been attributed
to Mary Ann Evans who wrote under the pen name of George Eliot.
"Those words excite me when I look at them. They are telling me that the future I want is always there, just waiting for me."
We then asked Diana to imagine that she was throwing an intimate dinner party in her Sunnyside apartment and could invite anyone she wanted, from historical figures to contemporaries; who would she choose to break bread with?
Diana provided this writer with quite a list of guests; perhaps way too many to fit comfortably inside her place. But, somehow, Diana, like all New Yorkers, would find a way to make things work. After all, that is what residents of the Big Apple do best!
Diana's guest list was nothing, if not eclectic.
"Albert Einstein, of course. I'd ask him to tutor me. Both of my wonderful
grandmothers. And Tennessee Williams. I think we'd have some laughs. Lady Gaga could play the piano for us if she's into that. Freddie Mercury and David Bowie, too. Robin Williams! Dorothy Parker could sit around and take notes or drink, or both. We'd have to include Frida Kahlo. What a party! I feel like they all would have someone there to get along with. I would just cook and hang around watching everybody interact. One thing's for sure, it would have to be a long table."
For those Aplez.com readers who may be interested in purchasing one of Diana's word splashes or other works of calligraphic art, the process could not be easier or more transparent.
And, she is very open to doing commissions. No matter what your imagination comes up with from wall art or a mural to a bookmark with a personalized message written in colorful, flowing calligraphy, Diana can make it happen.
It all starts with an email.
"During our chat," explained Diana," the client and I will go over all of the particulars; what the project entails, the materials needed and the timeline that the client expects the project to be finished. Then, I give them a quote. If it is a custom calligraphy letter or poem, I can turn it around in a few days. A painting or a larger project will require an initial deposit and the balance upon completion. I love working hand in hand with the client, updating them along the way with photos of the project I'm working on."
The bottom line is that..." I enjoy creating art for others and making a special message come to life."
Always experimenting and working on new items, Diana just finished creating her first enamel pin, which she named the Drama Llama. It will be showcased at a pin show in November at Solas Studios in Manhattan.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. When it was time to wind up the interview, we asked Diana where she saw her brand going in, say, five years' time? Diana does like to have things happen organically, but that doesn't mean she does not have certain goals and dreams for the future related to the Book Tree House.
"f I didn't express my creativity, I don't know what I would be doing. One day, I do see the Book Tree House as a real place, a shop and an art studio. I see myself painting and creating, teaching what I love. I'll always be working on something."
And, in parting, Diana also had a few words of advice to other would-be artists out there.
"We are all creative in some way. Not one of us lacks it but expressing that creative urge is a challenge all its own. It can also take a little discipline. Sometimes we can feel stifled because of the way in which we were raised or conflicting desires and beliefs; or even a fear of being judged. Follow what makes your heart quicken. You are worth it. Live your dream."
The perfect way to end this article is with a quote by the celebrated writer George Bernard Shaw. These words were paraphrased by John Kennedy in his address to the Irish parliament and by his brother Bobby when he campaigned for the Presidency.
These inspirational words also, in this writer's humble opinion, happen to sum up the philosophy of The Book Tree House and its amazing founder Diana Benigno, that anything in life is possible. All one needs to do is dare to dream.
"Some people see things in life and ask why? I dream of things that never were and ask Why Not ?"
Contact Info:
email:
Instagram: @the booktreefairy
Comments