The left half of the entire ceiling, after restoration (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
There were once two ceiling painters who were hired for separate jobs.
The first painter went in, put some drop sheets down and got straight to work slapping white paint on the ceiling.
He was finished within a day.
The second painter entered and looked at the ceiling that he was to work on.
He went home and dreamed of something magnificent that he could do.
He called in scaffolders and went to work, taking four years of painstaking work to complete his masterpiece.
The first painter went to his next job and finished that one within a day as well. He ended up completing five ceilings that week.
But no-one remembered his work or his name and most of it was painted over again in a few years time.
He was just another painter doing what every other painter could do, with no ambition, no vision and no expertise.
The second painter went on to do other brilliant work and everyone recognises the name Michelangelo, even centuries after his death.
He is universally admired for his impassioned style, known as terribilità, which created a sense of awe-inspiring grandeur and inspired generations of other artists.
Whatever we do with our lives, we have a choice.
We can be like the first painter, going through the motions and doing ordinary, forgettable work that others can easily replicate.
Or we can be like the second painter, creating masterpieces that require commitment and passion.
And if you’re hiring someone to do a job, you can get the guy who paints a white ceiling within a day or hire the artist who takes his time to create a true piece of art.
I know that most organisations go for the short-term, cheaper option, but perhaps it’s time to aim higher and to choose magnificence over convenience.
And no, you can’t have both. The Sistine Chapel wasn’t painted in a day and you can’t compress greatness into an efficiency target.
You have a choice to make, now get painting.
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May 7, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Shadoe
Funny…I was thinking your last paragraph while reading the first two. Then, when I read it, I laughed. We are on the same page there. My husband and I are both disgruntled artists and have been “discouraged” into the first painter’s mold many times. The first painter’s mold pays the bills better. But every opportunity that arises, we become the artist again. Also, many construction-type “painters” I’ve met and worked with over the years have no interest in being an artist. Fear, laziness, non-conformity, who knows. I suppose those people wouldn’t bother reading your wonderful blog though, would they? Keep up the great work!
May 7, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Shadoe, keep painting your masterpieces.
May 8, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Jill
Yes,please keep painting because those of us who are non artists need someones work and talent to admire. We have employed the first painter to paint our house and are still regretting it!
There is something to be said for honesty and integrity, not everyone has it. Treasure yours..
May 9, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Jill, don’t underestimate your ability to make great art too.
May 8, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Lynne Quintana
Very nice post Darren. I remembered one quote from Ghandi “be the change you wish to see in the world.” Thanks for sharing.
May 9, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Lynne, I love that quote
September 27, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Peter
Hi Darren, you have just painted a masterpiece with your post.
It is not only the “visual” that portrays art.
In defense of many local painters, like Shadoe has commented above, bills needs to be paid. I guess it is all about trying to find the balance in life.
Great post – thank you!
September 30, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Peter