Excellence of execution

In a world increasingly driven by automation and speed, the timeless value of craftsmanship is something of a dying art

But for the members of the Craftsmanship Forum – a group of seasoned professionals in the painting and decorating industry – craftsmanship isn’t just a skill; it’s a philosophy, a way of life, and a commitment to excellence that transcends the day-to-day grind.

Members of the group share their personal journeys, philosophies, and enduring passion for their craft. Their stories reveal the heart and soul of craftsmanship: a relentless pursuit of improvement, an embrace of creativity, and an unshakable dedication to quality.

Discovering a passion

For Charles Gilley Jr., based in Vermont, craftsmanship is the culmination of 56 years in the trade.

Starting as a high school painter, Gilley initially saw his work as just a job. However, the challenge of mastering the craft transformed his perspective.

“In order to make the profession interesting to me, I just dove right into it,” he said.

Gilley sought out restoration courses, learned decorative painting techniques, and even attended wallpaper school. His commitment to constant learning fueled a passion that persists to this day.

“It’s the rewards you get from doing it that really excited me,” he says. “There’s never been a day that I don’t enjoy going to work.”

A spiritual pursuit

Steven Adickes, based in Phoenix, Arizona, spent 11 years as a schoolteacher before finding his calling in painting.

Drawing on his love for fundamentals and problem-solving, Steven transitioned seamlessly into the trade.

“As a craftsman, there’s always something going wrong,” he says. “You’re always trying to alleviate problems ahead of time or restore things the right way.”

For Adickes, craftsmanship is more than technical skill—it’s a mindset of perseverance, creativity, and integrity.

That sense that Craftsmanship applies to more than just work was a common theme.

Rodney Paglialong, a painter from Woodstock, Illinois, grew up in a family of painters but didn’t embrace craftsmanship until later in life.

Initially pursuing a career as a band director, Rodney returned to painting full-time during the early 2000s. It wasn’t until he joined the Painting Contractors Association (PCA) that he began to see himself as a craftsman.

“In the last 10 years, I’ve realized craftsmanship is not just about painting—it’s about life,” Rodney said. “It’s a way of being.”

Fully committed

Chris Sawyer from Portland, Oregon, represents a multi-generational connection to painting.

With a grandfather and father in the trade, Chris began by laying down dropclothes as a child and didn’t intend to stay in the field long. But then things changed.

“Somewhere around the 7-to-10-year mark, I realized there’s so much I didn’t know,” he says.

This humility and commitment to lifelong learning marked his transition from being a painter to a craftsman.

Whether through restoring historic structures, mastering new techniques, or simply sharing knowledge with peers, those who consider themselves craftsmen and craftswomen continue to uphold their skills in their purest form.

For these artisans, the trade is more than a job—it’s a lifelong journey filled with challenges, rewards, and endless opportunities to learn and create.

When asked to define a craftsman, one member captured it perfectly:

“It’s someone who is fully committed to their trade. Because of that, they are constantly seeking knowledge to improve and work toward being better.”