Stephany Briceno

A Celebration of God's Creation

I see the human figure not only as something that is physical, but also reveals something that is spiritual, and
aesthetically beautiful. The figure is God’s creation, by viewing it this way I am able to keep it honorable, contrary to
secular influence. As I sit to render the figure, I do so with eyes wide open, focused to study. As an artist I use lines,
shapes, and color to reveal the lyrical poetry of the body. As a Christian Artist, drawing from nude models, the task is to
render the figure as a beautiful symbol, representing what it means to be alive. If the figure is reduced to being “naked”,
as it is in secular representation, then it becomes an empty vessel. God gave me a gift; it is my duty, as an Artist and
Christian to show my gratitude by glorifying His greatest creation, the human figure.
From a Christian perspective, I feel that showing appreciation for God’s creation shows up not only in the artist’s
body of work, but also in the soul and spirit of the individual. I love all aspects of life and the people who are apart on my
life. This is why I chose to study portraiture. By painting portraits I am showing my love and appreciation for human life
and spirit, each God given.
The various techniques that I have chosen to render the human form reflects the many layers of the body itself.
Although the finished figure that I render may seem concrete and whole, the process I use to get the piece to this point
comes from layering of that particular media. Whether using Photoshop, drawing, or painting the process follows similar
steps. When I sit down to create the human form artistically, I visualize the skeleton underneath the surface, then move on
to constructing the proportions and framework of the figure before me. Next is the addition of the muscle masses, which
in turn form the final layer, the surface of the body.
A perfect example of my vision is shown by my graphic illustrations. Through Photoshop I reveal the hundreds
of layers used to create the same effect of layers that you would find in the human anatomy. The same is true for my
paintings and drawings, all of which start from the simplest form, as God did from dust, to create the human body. No
matter what media I choose to create my renderings, the figure will always be something that I study with a passion,
wonderfully created in God’s image.