![]() So when the current solo exhibition opened at the Franklin Park Arts Center, fans flocked to the small dairy-barn-turned-gallery.Įlizabeth Bracey, the center's director, worked with Bob Ross, Inc., to put the show together. Ross left behind thousands of paintings, which rarely go on display. Right: Sara Monteleone, wears a Bob Ross wig while she follows along with Sandra Hill, a Certified Ross Instructor, during the recent painting class. NPR Left: Cliff Nolan holds a book of his own paintings that he has done in the "Bob Ross" style. And Ross - a throwback to the pre-Internet era - has a surprisingly huge following on Twitch, the streaming platform best known for video games, where fans can comment in real-time while he paints. The Smithsonian's National Museum Of American History recently acquired four of his paintings for their permanent collection. There are Bob Ross bobbleheads, board games, underwear and coffee mugs. ![]() The Joy of Painting is broadcast every day on some PBS stations across the country and is available on-demand to millions of viewers on Netflix and YouTube. But the popularity of this quirky pop icon continues to soar, among fans old and new. "Bob is just wonderful," Nolan says with a sigh. It's filled with pictures of paintings inspired by Ross' work, using the wet-on-wet painting technique he used. In a room lined with 24 original Ross paintings, Nolan pulls a laminated photo book out of his pocket. "It's almost spiritual," Cliff Nolan, a painter from nearby Manassas, Va., says about being in the class at the Franklin Park Arts Center. Over 31 seasons and more than 400 episodes, Ross became known for his hushed, soothing tones, big bushy hair, vivid landscapes and "happy little trees." ![]() Remember, trees have depth to them!" she reminds the class.īut this is no ordinary painting lesson: The students have come to Purcellville, Va., from as far away as Texas to learn to paint in the distinctive style and palette of Bob Ross, the Air Force sergeant-turned-painter who rose to public media fame in the 1980s and '90s with his TV show The Joy of Painting. "And think tree! Don't just go tap, tap, tap any old place. They're dabbing paintbrushes loaded with dark green paint along the edge of a lake, the beginnings of a glowing sunset in the background. On a recent Friday afternoon, Sandra Hill leads a painting class at an arts center nestled amid rolling Virginia hills, about an hour and a half drive northwest of Washington, D.C.Įach of the 10 adult students has a canvas balanced on an easel in front of them.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |