Breaking Free From the Abyss
This section encapsulates the shift from emotional darkness and manipulation to personal freedom, where her spiritual light shined brighter than ever before. The intensity of the work reflects both the struggles she endured and the immense strength the artist summoned to escape her environment. As she broke free from toxic forces, the light within her grew stronger, symbolizing her resilience and ability to rise above the shadows.
“In the face of darkness, there is always a spark that guides you to freedom”
- Dana Rachelle
“Breaking Free from the Abyss” represents Dana’s intense emotional and spiritual battle as she struggled to break free from the oppressive grip of manipulation and control. The triptych shows how dark, demonic forces almost consumed her spirit, represented by the shadowy hues in the painting. The central dragon, with jaws wide open, symbolizes the suffocating nature of her relationship.
In this piece, each panel symbolizes a part of her journey. The right shows the spirit still trapped, the center shows the confrontation with the dragon, and the left depicts the moment of escape. The light, emanating from within Dana’s soul, pierces through the darkness, representing her decision to reclaim her freedom and power. This powerful piece stands as a testament to the artist’s resilience and transformation from emotional imprisonment to liberation.
Breaking Free from the Abyss – Oppression
The right panel of the triptych captures the artist’s soul still caught in the shadows, struggling to escape.
In this panel, Dana’s spirit is shown cloaked in shadow, embodying the emotional and psychological entrapment she felt. The darker colors represent the control her partner tried to exert over her, while streaks of light signify her soul’s resistance and yearning to break free. This is the moment before she fully realized her power—the struggle of holding on to her essence in the midst of darkness.
Breaking Free from the Abyss – Dragon
The central panel portrays the dragon-like figure symbolizing the destructive forces that threatened to devour Dana’s spirit.
At the heart of the triptych, the dragon looms large, its open jaws symbolic of the oppressive forces that sought to consume Dana’s light. This panel is the visual representation of confrontation—the moment where darkness attempts to overwhelm her. The dragon embodies both the toxic energy of manipulation and control, as well as the intense emotional battle Dana endured. Yet even within this chaos, glimmers of light push through, foreshadowing her ultimate victory over these destructive forces.
Breaking Free from the Abyss – Spirit
The left panel of the triptych depicts Dana’s soul finally escaping the jaws of oppression, rising into the light.
In the final panel of the triptych, the light breaks through fully, signifying Dana’s escape from emotional imprisonment. The oppressive forces retreat as her spirit ascends, no longer held down by manipulation or deceit. This panel signifies not only her personal freedom but the empowerment she found in breaking away from toxic relationships. The vivid light represents the transformation that followed her decision to rise above the darkness, allowing her to step into her true power and light.