At age four, Gary Bukovnik began painting the flowers that bloomed behind his home in Ohio. Decades later, in his San Francisco studio, Gary still spends everyday painting delicate watercolor flowers that have graced the walls of renowned institutions like MOMA, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Library of Congress. But Gary’s life as a successful artist almost never happened. In his youth, art school beat the joy out of his passion for painting, pushing him to abandon his artistic identity in favor of more “serious” abstract expressionism. Alienated by this pressure and struggling as a gay man in the Midwest during the '70s, Gary reached a breaking point and attempted to end his life. His dream seemed dead—until a chance encounter years later. A stranger’s casual encouragement to return to painting flowers brought Gary back to his artistic roots and sparked a flourishing career that defied all odds. Today, his work not only graces elite galleries but also supports vital causes, raising millions for organizations that feed the hungry and uplift communities.

The film’s visual storytelling blurs the lines between life and art, reflecting Gary’s journey of self-discovery and authenticity. Combining real-time footage, archival materials, and whimsical animations, the narrative captures pivotal moments in Gary’s life, from his darkest nights to his joyous artistic revival. These visual transitions, where art bleeds into life and life into art, reinforce the central theme: that embracing one’s true nature, despite the world’s demands, can lead to an unexpectedly beautiful and meaningful existence.

How did the rose

Ever open its heart

And give to this world

All its beauty?

It felt the encouragement of light

Against its being,

Otherwise,

We all remain

Too frightened.

- Hafiz