Gemotions

The scent of lavender filled Liam's small studio. He’d just finished varnishing the latest in his series of abstract paintings, each a swirl of color and emotion. A slight smile played on his lips. His fingers still smelled of oil paint, the way they always did after a successful day in the studio. He felt contentment wash over him, as he gathered his things, ready to leave.

The phone rang. It was his friend, bursting with excitement. "Liam! You have to see this! They're showing your work at the city square!" Liam felt a flush of warmth in his cheeks, until he asked his friend to send him the picture.

He took a slow breath, his chest tightening. The image on his phone revealed his work, but not as he intended. It was a projection, a distorted, blown-up version displayed on the side of a building. He felt a sense of invasion, of his private thoughts suddenly on public display. He would have to go to the square. His work no longer held that intimacy he so carefully crafted.