Leave Her (Stage 4)
Isabella Ayres, Spring 2026, Acrylic and oil on canvas, 40 × 30 in
This work represents the turning point of the cycle—the moment of resistance, release, and spiritual confrontation. The figure is turned away from the viewer, symbolizing a deliberate turning away from the enemy and the lies that once defined her. Rooted in James 4:7—“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”—this piece captures the act of reclaiming identity through faith.
The surrounding strokes appear luminous and almost angelic, yet they represent the enemy's deceptive nature—evil that disguises itself as something beautiful and convincing. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, these forms embody insecurity, shame, and spiritual oppression that once clung to the body. As the strokes loosen and lift away, they suggest spirits leaving—chains breaking and the release of what once held her captive.
A soft, lighter blue aura surrounds the figure, referencing divine presence and truth—“the way, the truth, and the light.” This work reflects the promise of freedom and authority over darkness (Luke 10:19), as well as the transformation into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is both peaceful and provoking—a moment where struggle gives way to surrender, and surrender leads to freedom.
