Bio
Cecilia Fierro-Feinstein is a figurative artist specializing in perceptual drawing, exploring the delicate boundary between perceptual observation and graphic precision to render both human and animal forms through the traditional tools of graphite, vine charcoal, and ink.
She received a full scholarship to the Pratt Institute’s Summer 2026 Pre-College program to study fine art, and her large-scale charcoal drawing “Sick of the Chase” was an AI-AP American Illustration AI45 Chosen Winner in the spring of 2026.
Cecilia will graduate from high school in June 2026 and is pursuing a BFA in Fine Arts. Her practice is rooted in the rigorous discipline of direct observation. Working entirely from life, using charcoal, ink and graphite, she translates the physical weight and immediate presence of humans and animals not as a static image, but as a psychological structure to be excavated. Working with raw, monochromatic media, her process is characterized by bold, gestural marks and heavy tonality.
Whether capturing the fluid energy of a live model, her goal is to record the visceral experience of truly witnessing life so that each transcends mere “subject” and feels like a “story.” In focusing on gesture and on the movement, light and weight of a pose, Cecilia’s work evokes both the vulnerability and strength of each model’s unique psychological presence. Her direct observation drawings strive to reveal the undeniable truth of a subject in real-time, embracing the challenge in the real-time necessary corrections (proportions, angles, interplay of light and shadow) as a live model breathes and moves.
Cecilia’s ultimate goal is to combine her passion for art and psychology by earning a graduate degree in visual arts therapy.
Resume
Cecilia Fierro-Feinstein | ceciliafierrofeinstein@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Santa Monica High School — Santa Monica, CA, Class of 2027
Art GPA: 4.0/4.0 Academic GPA: 3.5/4.0
Relevant Courses: AP Studio Drawing, Advanced Figure Drawing, AP Psych
Pratt Institute Pre-College Intensive — Brooklyn, NY, Summer 2026
GPA 4.0 / 4.0 - 4 college credits
Fine Arts: Drawing and Painting: Observational studies, figure drawing (including nude figure study) and still-life painting, gesture drawing, anatomy, light & shadow, and color mixing.
Foundation Art: Observational drawing, perceptual problem-solving, creative experimentation; studies in perspective, proportion, color theory, and composition, human figure studies (including live model)
Independent Study with artist Matt Mahurin (former SVA professor), Spring 2026
Relevant Work: Acrylic paint study across still life, figures and landscape
Kline Academy of Art, Drawing + Painting — Los Angeles, CA - Winter 2022 - Summer 2023
PAINT:LAB Art School, Drawing + Painting — Santa Monica, CA Summer 2022 - Spring 2023
EXHIBITIONS + SHOWS
Pratt Institute Pre-College Showcase, featured artist (Brooklyn, NY Summer 2026)
"Hunted," anti-ICE protest piece (large-scale charcoal life drawing), No Place Like Home Exhibition, Wend Museum (Los Angeles, CA Spring 2026)
“Intertwined” AP Art “Day of The Dead” Showcase (Santa Monica, CA Spring 2026)
AWARDS + RECOGNITION
AI-AP American Illustration AI45 Spring 2026 Chosen Winner for “Sick of the Chase” (large-scale realistic animal portrait, charcoal)
Honorable Mention, National PTA Reflections Art Program 2025, “Transfixed” (charcoal)
MEDIUMS
Charcoal, Acrylic and Oil Painting, Graphite pencil, Ink
TECHNIQUES
Long-pose observational rendering, rapid gesture drawing, chiaroscuro lighting, negative space mapping, anatomical proportion, and workable fixative application.
ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE + LEADERSHIP
Art Editor, The Samohi (high school newspaper, 3.2K readers, 8/2026 - Present
Created original art to supplement student journalism articles, took part in conceptual brainstorms
Featured Artist, Santa Monica High School Yearbook, 8/2025 - Present
Selected to create a variety of original charcoal and oil pastel art for the high school yearbook.
EXTRACURRICULARS
Co-founder, LA Wildfire Book Drive, Winter 2025
Collected, organized and distributed 15,000 books to victims of the Palisades and Altadena fires to help rebuild personal libraries lost in the fires
Secretary, Empowering Young Minds club, Fall 2023-current
Raised money to help
Santa Monica High School Theater Club
Assistant Coach, Youth Soccer, Summer 2022-Summer 2025
coached players ages 5-13 at Los Angeles Bulls and Sand & Surf soccer clubs
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