Chapter 9. Uninvited Guests

By Friday, she was a ball of nerves. This was her first showing without her husband by her side. Much of her art over the last seven weeks, several new pieces, clearly depicted her anguish and rage. Large red streaks and splatters against stark white canvas peppered with black and her own blood which she had drawn by stabbing her fingertips repeatedly, entitled Fool No More, was her centerpiece of the latest collection. It was raw, primal, and angry and she knew it. A departure from the last show where her life had been boring and easy. If anything, her divorce was good for her art.

A self-portrait of her crying was mounted to the wall encased in a stark black wooden frame. Her lips painted an angry red, mascara streaking down her cheeks and the clear despair on her features clearly depicted the title Betrayed. Then the self-portrait immediately next to it with rage, her features narrowed, fierce and vengeful was entitled Scorned.

She hadn’t put out such vulnerable work