Gemotions

"Perfect!" Clara exclaimed, holding up the finished painting. The vibrant colors of the landscape seemed to breathe on the canvas. Her small studio, bathed in natural light, was the place where she could finally rest her mind. She put the brushes in the water, a smile gracing her face. The work, depicting the rolling hills of Tuscany, felt like a secret she held close.

A letter arrived. It contained an invitation to a gallery opening. The art critic’s words spoke of another artist’s uncanny resemblance to her own work. Clara clutched the letter, her knuckles white. She looked at her painting. Doubt, insidious and unwelcome, began to bloom.