Bree-ah-na Air-ree-el
I find it beautifully ironic that Jesus would choose me as a writer. While I've always been drawn to words and was an advanced reader as a child, I struggled with the fundamentals, according to my teachers. I failed at diagramming sentences and showed little interest in picking up books during my school years. My English teachers glimpsed potential but never saw it fully bloom before each school year ended. Yet in the quiet spaces of my journal pages, I would take up my pencil and let my heart pour out words my voice had never found the courage to speak.
Here I am, a 30-something artist, author, poet, and entrepreneur. I'm a mother to 3 miraculous humans whom I have the joy of raising alongside my wonderful husband, Stephen. My life didn't always look this beautiful, yet God made beauty out of ashes. Over the past decade, I've been on a transformative journey, choosing to evolve daily. As I navigate this path, I am learning to abide in Christ, to embrace my quirks, and to apologize less for my unique nature. I am using my words to build life, bring hope, and encourage you.
I am a multidisciplinary artist who paints, embroiders, sews, quilts, designs websites, and captures moments through photography. My heart belongs to textiles—I've sewn countless quilts, both large and small, losing count along the way. Like the intricate patterns of the quilts I've created and those passed down by my loved ones, our lives are woven with complexities often too deep for words.
As I write, I hope my words weave together a poetic voice that speaks what some are afraid to say, offers strength, and encourages all who read.
Every word I pen that carries any goodness, I cannot credit to myself. Apart from Jesus, I cannot write. As I abide in Him, He opens my eyes to new perspectives and enables me to create these books I have the joy of sharing with you.
I've always considered my paintings, words, books, and all things art-related as my "secret space." I was content with that until I discovered a way to encourage women to bloom. As a survivor of domestic violence, I know firsthand what it feels like to carry shame, fear, isolation, pain, and brokenness. Though the pain I endured was devastating, it has deepened my relationship with Jesus, birthed a ministry (FREED Magazine), and opened my eyes to a marginalized group of women and children in my community who desperately need support to change their circumstances. I share my journey in my debut poetry book, Her FREED Soul. Walking through that season in my early twenties was incredibly difficult, but I was blessed with a small yet powerful support system that loved me in ways my soul will never forget.
In my weekly publication, The Psalm Room, I don't shy away from difficult topics because I've learned that transparency with The Lord brings more healing than hiding beneath shame ever could. I share poetry, art, and glimpses into my journey with readers, often including excerpts from vulnerable journal pages in hopes of inspiring at least one person. I love connecting with my subscribers through newsletters that offer deeper insights into my creative process and heart (follow my journey here).
When I'm not writing, I'm spending time with my family. My husband, Stephen, and I run our branding firm, COVA Design Company, publish FREED Magazine with our incredible team, and pursue our individual creative projects. As a family, you'll find us on the golf course, wandering through art galleries, strolling through the botanical gardens, or enjoying cozy, creative days at home.
Random fact: I am a lover of tea and will host a tea party at the drop of a dime!
I don't have all the answers or words for every person's experience. I am not perfect—even as a writer and editor of a magazine, my words contain typos, and I often choose literary creativity over convention. If you're seeking perfection, you won't find it here. However, I do my best to be authentic, to share openly when I can, and to offer words that might birth a new bloom of hope within you.
PS: I’ve prayed for YOU to be here!
Thank you in advance for joining me on my journey.
With love,
Briana Ariel
Artist Bio
Briana Ariel (b. 1991) is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in contemporary textile art, oil painting, and photography based in Coastal, VA. Briana Ariel's art is poetry in visual form. Whether she is creating textile works, painting portraits in oils, or capturing moments through her lens, each stroke, each stitch, and each frame is a line from a poem. Just like her written poetry, all pieces are open to interpretation.
Through her art practice, she hopes viewers see themselves as strong, beautiful, more than enough, highly capable, and deeply loved. She received 2nd place in the Norfolk Botanical Gardens Diversity Gallery juried exhibition in February 2025. Her work extends globally through partnerships with organizations worldwide, reaching audiences as far as Brazil.
She uses her art as a form of philanthropy to create meaningful change in human existence. Through collaborations with nonprofits and community organizations, she leverages creativity to address social issues, promote mental health awareness, and foster conversations about self-worth and resilience—transforming art into a tool for healing and positive transformation.
Artist Statement
Each of my art pieces strings together words in a unique way. I often weave texture, capture light, and layer emotion into my pieces. I believe the most influential conversation we have throughout our day is the one we have with ourselves. What we speak or secretly believe shapes the viewpoint of our lives. My message is one of hope, courage, and positive self-talk. Through my art practice, I hope viewers see themselves as strong, beautiful, more than enough, highly capable, and deeply loved.