Story Inside a Painting

1. Listen to: Finding the talk story inside the painting (approx 14 min) available here: https://www.ted.com/talks/tracy_chevalier_finding_the_story_inside_the_painting?referrer=playlist-10_talks_from_authors&autoplay=true

2. Find your own piece of art. Use this as the stimulus for the start of an imaginative piece of writing. Find inspiration at: 
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/
https://nga.gov.au/
Word count: 200 words.

Agnes Goodsir Chinese skirt 1933

“A cold sweat comes over me, trembling

Seizes me all over, I am paler

Than grass, and I seem nearly

To have died.”

- Sapho, Fragment 31

Acquainting myself with Joan had been far from perfect. I had felt my palms at that moment grease up with anxiety and flexed as I reached for greetings. Joan had been all that locals described her as, a youthful face with a wise soul. For when she’d entered the hall, all eyes marvelled in curiosity. Oh, what had the days become; a woman with an evident gold ring on her ring finger proved inconsequential when she escorted herself through the doors with no husband to guide her. The jewellery no longer served its marital purpose, only as a decorative resting on her fourth finger, glimmering peacefully. How was a simple woman to compete with another so great, lovely and oh so very handsome? This night was nothing but blurs, and I had little memory. Hence it being the furthest from perfect. I wish all my flying stars to witness that day again, for a chance to truly witness her under-the-breath laughter. But I do not fully recall that day I met her; I remember the day after.