We Step into the Light
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We Step Into the Light is an art exhibit that seeks to inspire creativity that honors the healing process after an experience with sexual assault and violence.
“Art, in any form, speaks from the heart, tells us the truth, it gives us hope for the future when we cannot see hope or a future for ourselves.” – Dr Desmonette Hazly, Creator of We Step Into the Light |
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2023
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Life is a fragile, beautiful thing
I am inspired by the work of Czech artist, Alphonse Mucha and his depiction of beautiful women often surrounded by lush flowers which sometimes formed haloes behind the women's heads. After communicating with my muse, I wanted to use similar imagery to represent her journey of healing, growth, and self-love. The roots at the bottom of the painting represent a starting point. Our roots anchor us as we grow. The leaves at the bottom become more colorful and detailed as they reach upward. Small buds appear and begin to open up. As the flowers grow larger and more vibrant, they can not be contained. Petals burst off of the flowers and leaves take flight. The woman depicted in this painting is a dedicated mother. The butterflies represent each of her three sons. The circle framing the face and the mandala at the bottom represent growth, because self-realization is not linear. There is no beginning and no end. |
2025
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What I Wish She Knew
This piece explores the theme of personal growth through the symbolic relationship between an adult woman and a young girl—representing the self across time. The woman holds a lantern, casting light upon the child in a deliberate act of reflection and guidance. Through this gesture, she reaches back to offer reassurance and strength to her younger self, affirming that the journey ahead is one of resilience and possibility. The fireflies surrounding them serve as quiet beacons. As they lead the way, these glowing creatures become symbols of transformation, gently illuminating the path toward a brighter, more empowered future. |
2026
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Melissa Clay Reissmann
Coming Home: A Series of Three Chapters
1. The Offering
2. Contemplation
3. Becoming
These three pieces emerge from my muse’s deeply personal journey of transformation, resilience, and self-reclamation. The work visualizes what they describe as a “dark night of the soul”—a period of profound unraveling in which identity is stripped away and slowly rebuilt from within.
The imagery explores the tension between darkness and illumination. Rather than something to escape, shadow becomes a space of growth, wisdom, and necessary shedding. Through this process, the subject confronts and redefines themselves, ultimately forming a renewed sense of identity and purpose.
A central symbol throughout the series is the lantern, representing both guidance and the acceptance of a calling. It marks a moment of transition—from enduring darkness to becoming a source of light for others. This shift is not immediate, but intentional: a pause, a recognition, and then a step forward into what the subject describes as destiny.
As the artist, my role is to translate this internal landscape into a visual language. Through composition, lighting, and symbolic imagery, I aim to honor vulnerability while capturing the strength and clarity that emerge through transformation. These works are not simply portraits, but reflections of becoming—of returning home to oneself.
“I walked through a deep dark night of the soul that required me to bloodlet every molecule of myself until I carved my name into my own heart. Recently, I recognized how much wisdom I've gained in the shadows. I once had a vision where I was offered a lantern to lead others in their own path of darkness, shining a light. I paused to truly accept this calling. And when I did, I walked into destiny, coming home to myself, as Melissa so stunningly captured.”
— Wren
Melissa Clay Reissmann
Coming Home: A Series of Three Chapters
1. The Offering
2. Contemplation
3. Becoming
These three pieces emerge from my muse’s deeply personal journey of transformation, resilience, and self-reclamation. The work visualizes what they describe as a “dark night of the soul”—a period of profound unraveling in which identity is stripped away and slowly rebuilt from within.
The imagery explores the tension between darkness and illumination. Rather than something to escape, shadow becomes a space of growth, wisdom, and necessary shedding. Through this process, the subject confronts and redefines themselves, ultimately forming a renewed sense of identity and purpose.
A central symbol throughout the series is the lantern, representing both guidance and the acceptance of a calling. It marks a moment of transition—from enduring darkness to becoming a source of light for others. This shift is not immediate, but intentional: a pause, a recognition, and then a step forward into what the subject describes as destiny.
As the artist, my role is to translate this internal landscape into a visual language. Through composition, lighting, and symbolic imagery, I aim to honor vulnerability while capturing the strength and clarity that emerge through transformation. These works are not simply portraits, but reflections of becoming—of returning home to oneself.
“I walked through a deep dark night of the soul that required me to bloodlet every molecule of myself until I carved my name into my own heart. Recently, I recognized how much wisdom I've gained in the shadows. I once had a vision where I was offered a lantern to lead others in their own path of darkness, shining a light. I paused to truly accept this calling. And when I did, I walked into destiny, coming home to myself, as Melissa so stunningly captured.”
— Wren