Light Up the Darkness

Light Up the Darkness is a self-portrait inspired by one of my favorite quotes by Bob Marley:

“The people who are trying to make the world worse are not taking a day off.
How can I?
Light up the darkness!”

As a survivor of child abuse, fighting injustice and empowering women to stand up for themselves are at the forefront of my message-driven portraits. One of the hardest things for a survivor to overcome when they begin the healing process is to reconcile their feelings with the refusal of family to acknowledge their experiences, especially when the abuse they endured came from family members.
In this painting I am emerging from the darkness of my past and lighting the way to my healing journey. I am looking back one last time to be sure that my demons are not following me and making the decision to sever ties with those responsible for my abuse. Making the decision to step away from family can be terrifying, but I knew I couldn’t fully heal with them in my life.
The flaming torch, held high, lights the way to a brighter future and dispels any doubts that I have a right to be better than my past. Family and friends can be some of the most vicious opponents to a survivor’s healing process. Those who have not experienced abuse will often doubt the veracity of your story and question your motives. You must be strong enough to walk away from them as well if necessary and pursue a future that supports your well-being and self-esteem. The first steps in the process are difficult, but crucial, and the reward is a path to healing.