Bob Ross, famous for his calming guidance in painting mostly landscapes in The Joy Of Painting, died of cancer back in 1995. While only 52 at the time of his death, American households and programs still have his television show of his oil painting. The daringness to glide an audience shows art isn’t just an elementary concept that is only pursued by the unrealistic. However, it teaches us that anyone can pick up a brush and hone their skill to become a true craft. It take guidance and hours to build up the level to be compared to its original inspiration, till you no longer need the support and become an artist that you define. Even if you mess up, all you can do is turn it into something new to adapt to the design. Following a plan can be good, using techniques like wet on wet, or the pattern of brush strokes to accomplish your goal, but reacting to what happens is something that Bob Ross also taught through his episodes. The flexibility and having rules is something beautiful in art. With the subjects of his painting, his voice complements the tone of the artwork, making the videos truly feel immersive in every way possible. Going through his process, from beginning to end is a journey that is experienced in each episode.
Tending to go with lush wilderness areas with waterways, his style of painting and filming was crafted under William Alexander, a far less known painter. William and Bob had a sort of rivalry due to his student improving upon his presentation of painting but accomplishing calmness in his voice that separated Bob from his mentor. However, neither can be credited with being the first to come up with being a television painter as this was taken by Jon Gnagy as America’s first art teacher in black and white. All three of these amazing artists however hold the same original idea of sharing their knowledge in a way that represents them. Whether it’s Bob’s calm voice, William’s wet-on-wet, or Jon’s challenging of an idea, all three painters allowed the show The Joy Of Oil Painting to be what it still is today.
You can see today action figures, funky pops, even cardboard cutouts in art rooms or even at Target featuring Bob Ross. While William and Jon may not be as popular, they contributed to what made Bob Ross so popular. Modernization and personalization comes with being an artist as well as building upon their work. His rise to becoming an iconic figure despite almost 2 decades after his death products can still be seen with his face. Throughout his lifetime and far beyond, the journey is never done because there will always be someone who builds upon your work. No matter what you do, this little fact allows someone to be an artist even if it has nothing to do with their actual job or interests and is taught through the journey that Bob Ross has taken.