bob ross 1995
Name: Robert Norman Ross
Born: 29 October 1942
Died: 4 July 1995
Home Town: Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
Style: Painter / Art Instructor / Television Host
Exhibition: Bob Ross Experience in Muncie, Indiana
Why I like him: He helped me achieve my best work. He made me realise that I could achieve more using a style I had not used before. He taught me to be brave in my work and that it was okay to make ‘happy mistakes’
History:
•As an adolescent he cared for sick animals
•While working with his father as a carpenter, he lost part of his left index finger.
•He joined the US Airforce and became stationed in Alaska where his love of the snow topped mountains started.
•Having achieved several military positions, Ross decided not to raise his voice again once leaving the Airforce.
•He discovered a TV show called The Magic of Oil Painting, hosted by Bill Alexander which used a technique called alla prima (first attempt) or more widely known as wet-on-wet. He was able to produce a painting in 30 mins
•Ross studied and mastered the technique painting the Alaskan mountains
•He returned to Florida and worked with Alexander as a travelling salesman and tutor for Alexander Magic Art Supplies Company. As Ross became more successful, Alexander became resentful and claimed that the style he used was his!
•Annette Kowalski attended one of his sessions and convinced him he could succeed on his own.
•Ross was noted for his permed hair which at first he didn’t like, but ended up incorporating into his logo.
•Annette together with her husband founded a company and encouraged him to have his own TV series – The Joy of Painting which ran for 11 years. He created a wet-on-wet oil painting within 28 minutes giving instruction to the viewers achieved with a limited palette.
•They went on to expand to selling art supplies and recorded classes – Bob Ross Inc
•Ross himself was opposed to having his work turned into financial instruments. When he died he wished his son to continue with his work, which he has. Sadly, the Kowalski’s bought the Bob Ross name and remain using it for financial gain. His original paintings are scarce on the art market.
•Ross painted 3 versions of the paintings you see him do on the programme. The first was completed before filming and used as a reference and kept off camera. The second he produced during the show and the third he added detail to for his instructional books. He marked them Kowalski, TV and Book.
•‘Lets add some happy little trees’
•‘Everyone has an inherent artistic talent and could become an accomplished artist given time, practice and encouragement’
•‘We don’t make mistakes, we just have happy accidents’
•He painted landscapes – mountains, lakes, snow and log cabin scenes. His work rarely contained people or even signs of human life
Mountain lake 2016
This is the first Bob Ross painting that inspired me to 'have a go'. I watched several 'The Joy of Painting' programmes and he made it look so easy. He had a fascination with the mountains and painted many landscapes. Although signs of life are sometimes seen in his paintings, he preferred to keep to the awesome scenery around him. He believed everyone could paint; they just needed to be shown how.
shades of grey 1983
"Just recently I was doing a demonstration in a mall, and I had a man come to me and he said, 'Bob, I could never paint because I'm colour-blind. All I can see is grey tones.' So I thought today we'd do a picture in grey just to show you that anyone can paint." Bob believed that everyone can paint. He was incredibly inclusive.
Teaching the masses!
Bob had a passion for teaching others. He launched The Joy Of Painting in 1982 and by 1994 had produced 400 episodes. To promote the show and reach more people, Bob toured America around shopping centres and art stores.
