It was 11:46 pm on a Friday night, the 26th of January. My family and I were coming home from some event and were far too exhausted to make a meal at home. My dad made the executive decision that we would be having McDonald’s for dinner. I had gotten a cheeseburger Happy Meal with chocolate milk, even though I was above the legal age of ordering one. The employees either didn’t notice or didn’t care. I wouldn’t blame them; they worked for minimum wage in a fast food chain, and night shifts were tiring enough without criticizing a customer.

My family and I took our meals to go, exiting the restaurant we had been to thousands of times in the past. Yet for some reason, I paused. I looked back at the restaurant. The sallow lighting behind the door highlighted the cheery yellows and reds of the interior, starkly contrasting the gloom of the night. Shadows cast by the awnings gave the gray concrete depth. The yellow arch glowed with backlights, a clear and familiar sight. I took a picture and hurried to catch up with my family.

Unbeknownst to me, I would spend the next four months driven by bizarre inspiration. I wanted to capture that eeriness and intrigue I felt that night through my paints. I sketched and smeared, staring at the picture for the minute details. The drainpipe in the wall, the orange permit sticker on the glass, the grids on the ceiling. I pestered my friend (an artist as well) with updates, asking for criticism and advice. Finally, on May 5th, I was content with my product.

My story just goes to show how inspiration can come from the strangest places. The world has cool things everywhere! You just need to look around.