It will Never Be “Finished”

The Task List

Typically, models as large as the SS Christopher Columbus can take years to complete. However, this project is different. This one has a deadline—the museum's opening weekend for the 2026 season. The pressure is on to make the delivery date. 

This project has entered the phase of the build that is completely governed by the task list: complete the railings, rig the flag posts, glue 14 life boats, etc. The task list is the constant (and sometimes overwhelming) reminder of everything that must be done with the few days that remain of the project. Already some of items have necessarily become "optional" and some of the items will probably not be completed due to the time constraint.

Leonardo DiVinci famously said, "Art is never finished, only abandoned." In that short quote is the truth felt now felt with this project. The deadline will ultimate control when work on this project will stop. Easily another several months could go into this piece to add more detail or to fix small mistakes only the sharpest eyes might see. But, the delivery date is all too quickly approaching and too many non-optional items must be crossed off the list.