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Bob Ross

American painter, art instructor, television host, and Air Force master sergeant (1942-1995) · United States · Artists · Died at 52

Bob Ross is read about 4,990 times a day, in 44 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 18 October 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 393 days, one point a day.

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He turned landscape painting into a low-stakes meditation watched by millions, speaking in a whisper and telling viewers there are no mistakes, only happy accidents.

ArtistsArtistPaintingTalk ShowsArtUnited StatesAmericas20th Century

A life in dates

1995Died4 July 1995“I've never claimed that this is investment art. When we first started out, all the art colleges and universities across the country would sort of badmouth what we were doing.”In their words7 July 1995(1990) reported in Associated Press (July 7, 1995) "Bob Ross, Painting Instructor to Millions, Dead at 52".

1993“I started painting as a hobby when I was little. I didn't know I had any talent. I believe talent is just a pursued interest. Anybody can do what I do.”In their words28 October 1993Cathy Hainer (October 28, 1993) "PBS' stroke of serenity / Bob Ross brings brush of zen to 'Joy of Painting'", USA Today, p. 3D.

1992“People have success with this method and it gets them excited. It gets them hooked.”In their words1 October 1992Mike Flannagan (October 1, 1992) "TV Artist Bob Ross Watches Paint Dry, Turns It Into a Successful Career", The Knoxville News-Sentinel, p.

1991“Within one hour of touching the brush to canvas for the first time, my students have a total, complete painting.”In their words22 December 1991Alessandra Stanley (December 22, 1991) "Television: Bob Ross, the Frugal Gourmet of Painting", The New York Times, Section 2; Page 33;

“I have to paint fast on television because of the limited time, but I don't want people to see what I'm showing them as work, something to worry and fret over.”In their words23 November 1991Judi Hunt (November 23, 1991) "Disciples of The Bob Ross Technique Find Joy in Learning They Can Paint", The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, p.

1990“Traditionally, art has been for the select few. We have been brainwashed to believe that Michaelangelo had to pat you on the head at birth.”In their words7 July 1990Linda Shrieves (July 7, 1990) "Bob Ross Uses His Brush to Spread Paint and Joy", The Orlando Sentinel, p. E1.

1942Born29 October 1942

Also in Deutsch

Photos 6

Bob Ross Alaska PaintingBob Ross Alaska PaintingBob Ross Painting WorkshopBob Ross Painting WorkshopDavis Graveyard, 2024 - 18Davis Graveyard, 2024 - 18New Orleans October 2023 visit 14New Orleans October 2023 visit 14Street Art-Bob RossStreet Art-Bob RossThe Bob Ross ExperienceThe Bob Ross Experience

In their own words 10

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Bob Ross
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10 statements, newest first

  1. I've never claimed that this is investment art. When we first started out, all the art colleges and universities across the country would sort of badmouth what we were doing.

    Jul 7, 1995, (1990) reported in Associated Press (July 7, 1995) "Bob Ross, Painting Instructor to Millions, Dead at 52"., Own words

  2. I started painting as a hobby when I was little. I didn't know I had any talent. I believe talent is just a pursued interest. Anybody can do what I do.

    Oct 28, 1993, Cathy Hainer (October 28, 1993) "PBS' stroke of serenity / Bob Ross brings brush of zen to 'Joy of Painting'", USA Today, p. 3D., Own words

  3. People have success with this method and it gets them excited. It gets them hooked.

    Oct 1, 1992, Mike Flannagan (October 1, 1992) "TV Artist Bob Ross Watches Paint Dry, Turns It Into a Successful Career", The Knoxville News-Sentinel, p., Own words

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In their orbit

Child: Robert Stephen Ross

About this person

Born in Daytona Beach, Florida on October 29, 1942, Ross joined the Air Force in 1961 and rose to master sergeant, painting in his off-hours after discovering Bill Alexander's The Magic of Oil Painting on television. His side income from art eventually outpaced his military salary, and after retiring in 1981, he was discovered by Annette Kowalski, who'd attended one of his tutoring sessions. She and her husband helped him launch Bob Ross Inc., and in 1982 a pilot aired; PBS stations picked up The Joy of Painting the following year, employing him through WIPB in Muncie, Indiana. For over a decade he taught wet-on-wet oil technique with a limited palette, the show running until 1994. He died July 4, 1995, at 52, intending to leave his work to family, but the Kowalskis successfully contested the estate in court and later secured legal control of his name and likeness through a deal with his half-brother Jimmie Cox.

Country
United States
Category
Artists
Type
Artist
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1942 to 1995 · aged 52

Artists from the United States 6

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