#Chapter 114: Worth It

Iris No matter how many times I do this, I’ll never get used to giving lectures. And without my old ‘Flora’ disguise, I feel like I’ve been stripped of my protective armor, leaving me even more exposed and vulnerable. My hands shake slightly as I click through the final slides of my presentation. The room is filled with fellow artists, residents, and gallery directors—all watching intently as I discuss the evolution of surrealist portraiture techniques. “And so,” I conclude, gesturing to the projected image behind me, “we see how contemporary artists have taken the foundational principles established in the 1920s and transformed them through digital mediums, creating entirely new interpretations of the surrealist vision.” Applause fills the room as I finish. Several heads nod appreciatively, and I catch a few smiles from the Abbott Gallery directors. My residency mentor approaches me afterward, patting my shoulder. “Excellent work, Iris. That presentation