There is an old Japanese (maybe Chinese) story about a painter that was hired by the Emperor to paint a Goldfish. The artist asked for seclusion on an island with a painting studio and one week of time. A week later the Emperor has his men check in on him and the artist says he needs more paint and supplies and another week. This goes on for a few weeks and then the Emperor loses his patients and goes to the island himself and demands the painting. The artist meets the Emperor in the front waiting room of the building. The artist pulls out a fresh sheet of rice paper, a clean brush and some ink. In a few smooth strokes the artist paints one of the most beautiful paintings of a goldfish the Emperor has ever seen. The Emperor loves the painting but expresses his frustration that the painting only took five minutes and he has been waiting weeks for his painting. The artist then opens the large doors to the studio revealing a room filled with piles and piles of paper… thousands and thousands of paintings of Goldfish.  

In other words, it took him all of this time to get ready to paint that five minute painting.

Posted: December 11th, 2007 under Design Ramblings.
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