Robert Norman "Bob" Ross was an American painter, an art instructor, and a
television host born on October 29, 1942 in Orlando Florida.
At the age of 17, Bob enlisted in the U.s Air Force. they Air Force
transferred him to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. Alaska was where Bob
first saw mountains, and snow, which were frequently used in his artwork. In
order for Bob to sell his work during brief work breaks, he learned how to paint
quickly. During his time in the military, Bob held positions that he would have
to yell, and be tough, and vowed that if he were to ever move on from the
military, that he would "never scream again"
Bob later studied with Bill Alexander, and discovered that he was able to
earn more from his art work than from his military position.
In January 11,1983, Bob first aired on PBS in a series called "The Joy of
painting". Bob was the creator of the show, as well as the host. Each episode
was 30 minutes. Bob would instruct the viewers with oil paint, with a quick
study technique. He broke down the process into simple steps. When Bob came up
with the concept of this show, he went to the homes of the producers to
demonstrate his quickness, and they were very impressed by it.
The company that produced the paints that were featured in "The Joy of
Painting" kept selling out of the paints, and approached Bob to put out his own
art supply line, and he did. He also put out how -to books, and offered
instructional classes. The classes were taught by instructors that were trained
in the "Bob Ross" method. This was very successful for him.
Bob estimated having painting between 25,000 - 30,000 paintings in his
lifetime. He believed that everyone had artistic talent and could become an
accomplished artist given time, practice, and encouragement, and was often fond
of saying, "We don't make mistakes; we just have happy accidents."
Bob was a juge fan of country music, and was invited in 1987 to go onstage
by Hank Snow at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. He received a huge ovation.
Bob and his business partner gave Hank a private painting lesson.
Bob appeared on the shopping channel, QVC to promote his products on the
air. Afterwards, the producer handed Bob a telephone, and Marlon Brando was on
the line. Bob was shocked, and excited by this.
Bob visited NYC to promote his hard cover book called "The Best of the Joy
of Painting with Bob Ross" to a studio audience. In 1989, he was on "The Joan
Rivers Show", and in 1992, he was on live with Regis, and Kathy Lee. In 1994, he
wasw on the Phil Donahue Show. Phil loves his painting techniques, and watched
his videos. Bob selected 5 audience members to come on stage to do a painting,
and got Phil to do one as well.
One of Bob's sons made a few appearances on "The Joy of Painting".
Bob was diagnosed with Lymphoma, he continued to work on his series "The
Joy of Painting".
the final airing of the series was on May 17, 1994.
Bob made an appearance in a pilot of "The Adventures of Elmer &
Friends". His appearance was recorded from his home in Florida, because he was
too weak to travel to Muncie, Indiana where the program was shot.
He also did a few "self paradpy MTV spots".
Bob passed away from Lymphoma on July 4, 1995 in his Florida home.
On October 29, 2012, Google celebrated Bob's 70th birthday with a Google
Doodle. It was of bob painting a depiction of the letter "g" with a landscape
in the background.
For more info on Bob, please visit:
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