The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
Last night I got home a tad earlier than usual and my son, Jacques (nearly 5 years old), still had some time before bed. Being a Thursday, I knew that the DVR had a fresh episode of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross recorded from earlier in the day. Perfect. I can recall today with precision accuracy how immensely enjoyable watching the show was for me as a child.
The love affair I have had with this afro-rocking gentile artist has spanned 20 years now, even though the actual series aired for just 12 seasons. And over the past year or so, I have converted Jacques into an avid fan of Bobby Ross as well. It is among some of the best bonding experiences we have had together. That is the real treasure with this program, that you can pass along the gift to many others and create a domino effect.
Many of the people in my generation have their own personal tales of their times with Bob Ross, and never once have I heard a derogatory remark. He has a cult following. He is The Dude of the art world. Everyone loves this guy, with ample reason. The way in which he goes about making sure that each and every viewer is able to easily grasp the subtle nuances of his paint strokes is simply magical. He is so patient and detailed. His calming voice is one of his best attributes and only heightens the whole experience.
Within each episode of the show, Ross is able to effortlessly illustrate the basics of painting, be it the types of brushes to use, the way in which to apply the paint to both the brush and the canvas, the little tricks that help create the illusions of depth. Whether you are a voracious viewer or a sporadic watcher, those simple tips are extremely valuable. His core simplism is also one of his greatest assets. It is just him, his canvas and a small black sheet for a set. Uncomplicated and terrific.
Another angle to speak of is the remarkable journey Ross is able to take you on, in under 30 minutes, each time you join him. Each painting is its own. They may look similar at times, but you know better. You see just how he gets from point A to point Z. There is NO blueprint. No instruction manual. And that is what he keeps banging home - let your imagination run free!
He adds certain wrinkles that enhance his paintings as well. My favorite such application is when he uses masking tape to alter his standard canvas to instead give the impression of an oval photo frame or the view from inside a window. Those tiny details can mean so much to the work itself.
I would be remissed if I neglected to mention his bevy of stupendous catchphrases and sayings that he is known for uttering on almost every episode. Some such classics are: making a tree a little friend, or when cleaning off a paint brush to ‘beat the devil out of it’. All said sincerely while his bombastic chest hair was attempting to escape that button down. How can you NOT love this dude? So take a quick return to your childhood, when things were simpler, and get to you know your old friend Bob Ross all over again. You won’t regret it.
