Dianne Smith was born in Yorkshire. Portraiture has always been her speciality and her preferred medium is pastel.

Dianne's career started in the early 1980s. In 1984 a limited edition portfolio of her portraits was published under the title Chameleon. Dianne's work was used for the part title of the first stereo broadcast of "Blade Runner"

In 1987 Dianne had an exhibition in the West End for the Royal Premiere of The Mosquito Coast.

Dianne has had successful exhibitions both in the UK and in America. Her work was singled out for special commendation by the respected science fiction journal Locus.

Dainne and Suzy Salvadori, wife of Roy Salvadori at Silverstone ©2009

In the 1990s she diversified into motor racing portraiture, exhibiting at Silverstone. In her treatment of motor racing subjects Dianne sought to capture the charisma and personality of the drivers, and the ambience of the time. A favourite motif is 'the man inside the machine' providing a refreshing counterpoint to those works in which the car is the dominant image.

In 2001 she had a very successful solo exhibition at Nunnington Hall, North Yorkshire featuring a variety of subjects from motor racing to wildlife.

Dianne is a committee member of the Women's Motor Racing Associates Club, affectionately known as "The Doghouse" the club is no longer just for racing drivers wives/girlfriends, membership is open to any woman working in or connected with the sport of motor racing.

Dianne is married to ex-racing driver and BRDC member, Peter Smith.