Here is the working pastel I mentioned earlier last week.
I worked hard to make the light pink rose the focal point. I say worked hard because the strong purple/white, red rose and orange tiger lilies really took over because their colors were so much more powerful. Hope I pulled it off. Comments?

via web
I think your struggle with the "focal point" would have been helped by paying attention to the overall composition.
The strong diagonal thrust of the background and the weighty vase of flowers on the right, give a feeling of unbalance and takes you off the corner of the painting.
Try placing an object on the left and simplifing the background and getting rid of the diagional line.
Hope my suggestions help.