Well, I think I realize why Glamor hates Liane so much-I bet Liane showed her up at that recital that we're flashing back to, and being one-upped by a commoner damaged her pride.
Perhaps the fact that it's color, plus the fact that it was done while being horribly overworked, and the fact that it's been years all together make it difficult to come back to.
It's a bunch of work, associated with stressful memories, that he feels disconnected from now. I struggled to work on old and unfinished stuff.