Robert Snap Spot

Create Your Sunshine Mural

Front view of the main mural panel, with “Create Your Sunshine” in black lettering among painted flowers, leaves, birds-of-paradise, and orange-and-black butterflies.

·

Written by

Robert

in

, ,
Wide view of a long blue roadside mural painted with tropical flowers, green leaves, butterflies, and the words “Create Your Sunshine,” beneath trees and a cloudy sky.

ROBERT SNAP SPOT

Create Your Sunshine Mural

A blue wall, a busy road, and the photo stop I kept promising myself

SS-002 — Thin white line at 25% opacity (dark background)

Monday Murals, Public Art, Inspirational

SS-001 — Thin gray line (light background)

One more pass wouldn’t do

For weeks, this blue wall got only a few seconds of my attention.
I was driving while Neal read aloud. Darn! The mural slipped past again.
Finally I decided the camera and I were getting out of the car!

“If a mural keeps waving at me, sooner or later I wave back.”

– Robert

October is here, but those painted flowers on May Street are having none of it. In Florida it is always an eternal Summer! Ha! I was ready for a closer look.

The colorful mural appears across a broad road beneath tall trees and a cloud-filled sky; a 30 mph sign stands at the left.
From across May Street, you can see why one quick glance never did it justice.

The wall finally held still

We had passed it so many times on our way into St. Augustine. I mean look! Does that not grab your attention. Well maybe at 30 mph you might not have noticed but I did. Now I could stand there and take in the whole painted message.

Front view of the main mural panel, with “Create Your Sunshine” in black lettering among painted flowers, leaves, birds-of-paradise, and orange-and-black butterflies.
Finally, all three words in one frame!

“Create Your Sunshine.” Such a beautiful work of art! And much too long for me to capture properly in one photograph. No Neal, eight photos of the same wall are not a bit excessive!

SS-001 — Thin gray line (light background)

THIS WEEK I NOTICED

Big Art Behind the Wall

The painted leaves had real palms and trees rising behind them. From the car, I saw a flash of color. Standing across the road, I could see how the wall fit into its spot. Nature was saying, “Wake up people, I’m the real star here!” I fully believe her!

SS-001 — Thin gray line (light background)

Stopping for the whole thing

While we were staying in Ponte Vedra, Neal and I frequently crossed the Francis and Mary Usina Bridge into St. Augustine. I do about 95% of the driving, which meant plenty of missed photographic moments. “Yup!” Neal was often reading aloud from one of the books we carry in the car. We’ve read 227 books together that way.

Wow! What a feat!

Still, every time that mural flashed past my window, I wanted a turn with the scenery.

Left section of the blue mural showing a large yellow flower, a reddish flower, tropical foliage, part of the lettering, and one butterfly.
flower, tropical foliage, part of the lettering, and one butterfly. That yellow flower had been waving at me on every drive past.

On our way back to the condo that day, I turned to Neal before the intersection. “I will be pulling the car over on the next side road. You stay in the car, but I will get out to capture the mural. ” Yes, I had made up my mind!” Neal stayed with the car and his book while I went after the pictures.

It was a busy spot, with locals and vacationers coming and going near the bridge. I waited for a break in traffic, did a little hop-and-skipping across the road, and suddenly that few-second glimpse was right in front of me. I photographed the mural in segments so I could bring home the flowers, butterflies, words, and all.

Central mural section with the complete phrase “Create Your Sunshine,” two orange-and-black butterflies, tropical leaves, and painted flowers.
The butterflies made sure I stopped for another picture.
SS-001 — Thin gray line (light background)

Take some sunshine home

Right-hand section of the blue mural filled with large orange and pink flowers, green leaves, and a painted bird-of-paradise.
The message ended, but the flowers kept going.
Far right end of the mural, with pink and pale flowers, tropical leaves, and “#STAFUNky” painted on the large pink flower.
And there, tucked into the last flower, was the tag I nearly missed.

Even the far end of the wall had more to show me. Look closely at the big pink flower: that’s where I found #STAFUNky. The mural was created by the local creative duo STAFUNky (Samantha Norrell and her team).

SS-003 — Bronze accent line (for major section breaks)
Angled close view of the mural’s large pink flower bearing the white “#STAFUNky” tag, beside smaller flowers and green leaves.
One last look before I headed back to Neal and the car.

Okay, done! Time to play “dodge-car” once more. Then it was back to Neal, our book, and the drive home. Thanks wonder wall. I brought a little of your sunshine home.

SS-003 — Bronze accent line (for major section breaks)

THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES

Carry one bright thing

SS-002 — Thin white line at 25% opacity (dark background)

A roadside mural interrupted my usual drive in the nicest way. I’m keeping its color with me this week.

What brought you sunshine this week?

““My to-do list never asked for a mural, but I came home happier with one in my camera.””

— Robert

📍 Saint Augustine, Florida

Collection
Monday Murals, Public Art, Inspirational

Captured with
iPhone 15 Pro Max

Published by
Robert Snap Spot

Join the Conversation

What did this story help you notice?

Share a memory…

One response to…

SS-001 — Thin gray line (light background)

Join the Conversation

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

SS-001 — Thin gray line (light background)

More posts