My love of painting started with a tall man in an afro standing in front of canvas, dabbing at it with his paintbrush while speaking soothingly about “happy little trees.” That was my
introduction to Bob Ross and he quickly became a source of inspiration for me on my journey into art. While there have been plenty of people who have influenced the way I approach creating works of art, it is safe to say that nobody has had more influence than Bob Ross and his enthusiasm for capturing life's beauty through painting. Through this blog post I will be exploring how exactly Bob Ross managed to shape not just my style as an artist but also my outlook on life itself!
The Joy of Painting began in 1981, I was 16 years old and I thought I was going to be an artist when I grew up (or an accountant, what can I say I was 16). Fast forward to the year 2000, my daughter is all grown up and I have a good job with one major downside: the dreadful daily commute that put me in a sour mood. Despite taking various art classes over the years, I had yet to explore the realm of painting. That all changed when I met a kindred soul who introduced me to an art convention called Paint in Alberta, where art teachers from across North America shared their expertise. It was there that I reunited with the beloved Bob Ross. I eagerly signed up for a class with Certified Ross Instructor Sylvia Murphy and embarked on my artistic journey.
From that moment on, I became hooked on painting, but I struggled to find a local Certified Ross Instructor. However, luck was on my side when I discovered Appleseed Cottage, a marvelous independent art shop that offered supplies and classes. While I wasn't delving into oil painting just yet, I had the chance to experiment with different mediums, surfaces, and painting styles until the next Paint in Alberta convention. Added bonus, though the daily commute was just as bad, going to an art class always lowered my blood pressure.
After a couple of years, my search for a Certified Bob Ross Instructor, led me to Patricia Zentz Reichenbach, a Certified Ross Instructor who visited the city every six months and taught three paintings in just three days. As a working woman, I could only manage to take two of her classes, but this routine continued for the following five years.
In 2006, my husband and I decided to slow down our lives by moving to a small rural town. Little did I know that fate had a surprise in store for me. Just before the move, I joined a painting session with Patty. A student arrived late and was placed beside me. Patty asked me to help catch her up. To my astonishment, Patty saw potential in me and encouraged me to consider becoming a teacher myself. This was my first glimpse into my own capabilities. Grateful for Patty's support, I began exploring the idea of obtaining my certification.
Coincidentally, the Bob Ross Company offered a three-week certification course at their Head Office in Virginia, USA, for the first time ever. With a bonus tour of Washington, DC's monuments, cherry blossoms, and museums (a haven for a history geek like me), it was an opportunity I couldn't resist. Looking back, that time holds a special place in my heart – the people I met, the invaluable lessons I learned, the newfound confidence radiating through my paintings, and the satisfaction of adding those three letters after my name. It truly felt like a life-changing experience, and now, as a teacher, I hope to inspire others to feel the same.
Coming full circle, I started teaching at Paint in Alberta in 2010. Since then, I have conducted workshops all across Canada, sold paintings that have traveled the globe, and had my artwork published in two books. Although my paintings don't necessarily resemble Bob Ross's style, they do reflect the techniques he imparted to me. Bob was not teaching anything radically different – he simply showed us that it's okay to make mistakes, embrace happy accidents, and turn them into blessings in disguise.
The confidence I gained opened doors to exploring other mediums, such as watercolor and encaustic paints, both of which I now teach. Bob Ross may have set me on this creative path, but countless others have influenced my artistic style along the way. I continue to teach in a multitude of disciplines, always learning and forever creating.
In conclusion, my journey as an artist has been filled with incredible opportunities and experiences. From learning the Bob Ross technique to exploring different mediums and teaching others, I have grown both personally and professionally. And now, as a teacher, I strive to inspire others just like Bob inspired me.
But my story is not unique. There are countless other artists out there who have been influenced by a mentor or teacher. So to all the aspiring artists reading this, I encourage you to seek out these sources of inspiration and embrace new techniques and mediums. You never know where they may lead you on your creative journey. And who knows, maybe one day you'll find yourself passing on your own knowledge and inspiring others just as Bob Ross did for me.