It was in the 1920s, when nobody had time to reflect, that I saw a still-life painting with a flower that was perfectly exquisite, but so small you really could not appreciate it.

Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven't time, and to see takes time - like to have a friend takes time.

Nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small it takes time - we haven't time - and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time

I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty.

Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven't time, and to see takes time - like to have a friend takes time.

I said to myself -- I'll paint what I see -- what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it -- I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers.