16x20 Charcoal on Paper

Artist's Note: People are surprised when they discover someone they know is or has suffered from domestic violence. They wonder why she or he didn't say anything. Many survivors start out as strong and independent individuals who had never been mistreated before and didn't know the signs until it was too late. Their silence is due to embarrassment about being conned and trapped by what seemed like a "wonderful person" who changed once she or he had control over the relationship. Domestic violence is all about control and the in case of this beautiful survivor, she took it back...permanently.