"What He Left Behind" There is a horrific beauty to my images—deep reds and purples transform my settings into a twisted, violent Valentine where reality is warped. Through my series, I illustrate the lingering pain that results from instances of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in romantic partnerships. I use my own body as a tool in my art making process by engaging in ritualistic practices that express the physicality of the abuse I have endured. By pushing myself physically and emotionally, I am forced to face my past traumas, and in the process, I reclaim my own bodily autonomy.