Bob Ross - Biography, Bob Ross - The Author of Encouragement
Gerald Scott asked:
Bob Ross 1943-1995
Bob Ross is truly the Author of Encouragement. To know him was to gain a good friend. A friend that was willing to share the full extent of his skills and knowledge of oil painting with the world. Bob’s willingness and desire to spread the Joy of Painting with the world was only surpassed by his amazing talent to encourage others to explore their untapped artistic abilities. The first words that I recall ever hearing him say was “You Can Do It”, as he gracefully encouraged and empowered his viewers to give it a try.
Even after a 20 year career in the U.S. Air Force, which he began at the age of eighteen, Bob held fast to his love and desire to paint. No matter how rigorous his Air Force duties became, he devoted his time to studying privately with some of the country’s top art instructors, as well as attending art classes at several colleges and universities.
When Bob officially retired from the Air Force in 1981 he immediately began to focus all of his energies into painting. As with any career change, the decision to commit full time to painting was a difficult one. “But, I knew that I could do anything I dreamed possible,” says Bob.
As he finished his twenty-ninth Public Television series of The Joy of Painting, Bob Ross couldn’t help but feel that he was dreaming. The incredible success of the art series has made Bob Ross so familiar to so many viewers, he was often overwhelmed by the warmth he felt from people around the country. “I get so many letters from folks telling me that I’m like a member of their family; it’s a fantastic feeling.”
In a time when people hear so much negativity “you can’t do this” or “you don’t qualify for that” in their daily lives, Bob stood up to say that with enough pure desire and ability to dream, anyone can learn and paint beautiful dreams. The kind of confidence and encouragement that Bob provided to his audience had given him a special place in the hearts of new artists as well as seasoned artists everywhere.
With an abundance of kindness Bob’s gentle and motivating approach to teaching the wet-on-wet painting technique was not just a “happy accident” however. Ever since he first appeared on Public Television with his JOY OF PAINTING series in 1983, he had made a commitment to himself and a promise to his viewers to never lose sight of his goal: to provide the best and most enjoyable painting experience possible, and to do it in the warm, “family-like” style which had made it so popular. “I made sure that with each and every show, I have made close, personal contact with my viewers,” said Bob.
Bob could dream and he had the ability to “paint beautiful pieces of those dreams” for literally millions of Public Television watchers, while teaching them how to paint their very own dreams. He also worked diligently with publishers and manufactures to provide the best instructional aids and painting products possible, such as video tapes and books to encourage interest in painting. As well as a host of painting supplies specifically designed to yield optimal result with his technique. He had also trained a team of Certified Instructors who tour the entire country teaching his method of painting. Bob Ross’ commitment to the success of his viewers was unquestionable.
It is easy to see how his dedication to an idea has affected so many. We hope that, for many years to come, his warmth and tender spirit will continue to touch the hearts of the many people around the country and the world who can truly be called “friend”.
Mr. Ross passed away July 4, 1995 at the age of 52. Bob’s wife Jane died in 1993. He is survived by a son, Steven Ross, who is a Bob Ross instructor and occasionally appeared on The Joy of Painting TV program. So as you reflect on Bob Ross’ contribution to help make our lives a little better each day perhaps you too will pick a paint brush and explore your untapped abilities. ” You Can Do It, My Friend”.
Bob Ross 1943-1995
Bob Ross is truly the Author of Encouragement. To know him was to gain a good friend. A friend that was willing to share the full extent of his skills and knowledge of oil painting with the world. Bob’s willingness and desire to spread the Joy of Painting with the world was only surpassed by his amazing talent to encourage others to explore their untapped artistic abilities. The first words that I recall ever hearing him say was “You Can Do It”, as he gracefully encouraged and empowered his viewers to give it a try.
Even after a 20 year career in the U.S. Air Force, which he began at the age of eighteen, Bob held fast to his love and desire to paint. No matter how rigorous his Air Force duties became, he devoted his time to studying privately with some of the country’s top art instructors, as well as attending art classes at several colleges and universities.
When Bob officially retired from the Air Force in 1981 he immediately began to focus all of his energies into painting. As with any career change, the decision to commit full time to painting was a difficult one. “But, I knew that I could do anything I dreamed possible,” says Bob.
As he finished his twenty-ninth Public Television series of The Joy of Painting, Bob Ross couldn’t help but feel that he was dreaming. The incredible success of the art series has made Bob Ross so familiar to so many viewers, he was often overwhelmed by the warmth he felt from people around the country. “I get so many letters from folks telling me that I’m like a member of their family; it’s a fantastic feeling.”
In a time when people hear so much negativity “you can’t do this” or “you don’t qualify for that” in their daily lives, Bob stood up to say that with enough pure desire and ability to dream, anyone can learn and paint beautiful dreams. The kind of confidence and encouragement that Bob provided to his audience had given him a special place in the hearts of new artists as well as seasoned artists everywhere.
With an abundance of kindness Bob’s gentle and motivating approach to teaching the wet-on-wet painting technique was not just a “happy accident” however. Ever since he first appeared on Public Television with his JOY OF PAINTING series in 1983, he had made a commitment to himself and a promise to his viewers to never lose sight of his goal: to provide the best and most enjoyable painting experience possible, and to do it in the warm, “family-like” style which had made it so popular. “I made sure that with each and every show, I have made close, personal contact with my viewers,” said Bob.
Bob could dream and he had the ability to “paint beautiful pieces of those dreams” for literally millions of Public Television watchers, while teaching them how to paint their very own dreams. He also worked diligently with publishers and manufactures to provide the best instructional aids and painting products possible, such as video tapes and books to encourage interest in painting. As well as a host of painting supplies specifically designed to yield optimal result with his technique. He had also trained a team of Certified Instructors who tour the entire country teaching his method of painting. Bob Ross’ commitment to the success of his viewers was unquestionable.
It is easy to see how his dedication to an idea has affected so many. We hope that, for many years to come, his warmth and tender spirit will continue to touch the hearts of the many people around the country and the world who can truly be called “friend”.
Mr. Ross passed away July 4, 1995 at the age of 52. Bob’s wife Jane died in 1993. He is survived by a son, Steven Ross, who is a Bob Ross instructor and occasionally appeared on The Joy of Painting TV program. So as you reflect on Bob Ross’ contribution to help make our lives a little better each day perhaps you too will pick a paint brush and explore your untapped abilities. ” You Can Do It, My Friend”.