Happy little trees
April 2, 2004
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There is something mesmerizing and horrifying about watching the art porn of Bob Ross and his mentor, William Alexander (master of "magic white") as they did wet-on-wet paintings of landscapes while standing in a blank TV studio. I guess they gave a lot of people permission to paint for the first time (a good thing) though their technique was full of tricks and shortcuts rather than observation of reality (not such a good thing) and the paintings themselves belonged in a Days Inn. Nonetheless, it's interesting to read about how Bob and his afro gave up the military to become an 'artist'. Check it out in today's Wall Street Journal. |
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A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
there IS something horrifying about Bob Ross -- and the fact that my high school students aspire to be just like him.
In an attempt to change this perception, I picked up a copy of one of his videos on ebay (paying more than I thought it would go for), and had my painting class paint along with Bob for a project. By the end of week 2 (it took us that long to watch and copy his instruction, using a remote to pause constantly), I could walk in the room and call out "How do you feel about Bob now?" and the kids would yell back "We hate him!"
We do it every year -- and the results are pretty much the same -- a roomful of lame landscapes that they dislike, and then on to the next project -- observing from life and a much nicer painting.
Posted by: Laurie | April 3, 2004 10:25 AM
Aspire to be like him? I must have missed that when I was in high school. What artists are kids discovering after the Bob Ross classes?
All these Bob Ross aficionados filling the world with landscapes...one of my friends in Taiwan had one in her living room. She ended up painting a UFO shooting a beam of light at the little cabin beside the placid waters of a mountain lake.
Once found a giant tiger painting on black velvet sitting by the curb ready for garbage day.
Posted by: Maktaaq | April 3, 2004 11:21 AM
Oh, obviously the tiger was not in the same range as a Bob Ross landscape, but there must be a school of velvet painting aficionados out there as well...hmm...I can think of a few uses for that destroyed black velvet jacket...
Posted by: Maktaaq | April 3, 2004 11:23 AM
Velvet paintings -- yes, they are in a class of their own. I had a great one of the last supper, but ended up selling it on good old Ebay.
Ever heard of Eddie Breen? http://eddiebreen.com/ for your amusement.
Posted by: Laurie | April 3, 2004 10:01 PM
I know of a black velvet painting of Snoopy on his dog house. If that isn't an affront to great art on sooo many levels!!
Can't watch Bob Ross for very long..I might check that article though..it's kind of like watching "Behind the Music" I guess. You can watch shows about people you have no real respect for..and come out a little less judgemental, and more enlightened about their achievments and motivation...most times anyway.
Posted by: Amy | April 5, 2004 08:31 AM
Hi Danny- how's the pool? Jack and I are in the I. Room and I missed you! Thanks again for all the sweet surprises you sprung yesterday! And today I got a special hand-inked letter from you. A treasure and a reminder I wish I didn't cherish so much. You are so gorgeous...w/w/o h.cortisone! CH
Posted by: patti | April 9, 2004 12:30 PM