I’ve always known the humble flowers that sprout up alongside the roads in San Diego as ‘freeway daisies,’ although the hardy Osteospermum is better known as an African Daisy. This painting is a close-up of one such daisy.

Lately, I’ve realized that being happy means noticing more beauty in my life. The daisies were always there, but now I really see them. Sometimes a painting just comes to me instantly, and this happened when I spotted this daisy by my ankle as I parked on the street next to my uncle’s house for Mother’s Day brunch. I took a quick snapshot with my phone to remember it. Crafting the painting felt automatic, simple, and gratifying.

It’s not just beauty I see—it’s like I see MORE in general. There’s a clarity now, a balance of receptivity and focus. My upcoming art show (in July!!) has given me the gift of focus, allowing me to see paintings everywhere.

Come see this work today in Spanish Village, Studio 23

Freeway Daisy
11 x 13 inches
Acrylic, paper