Leo Martínez
Before Bob Ross became a painter, he worked as a carpenter with his father, Jack Ross, until an accident caused him to lose part of his left index finger. He then joined the Air Force at 18 and was stationed in Alaska, where he took his first painting class at a United Service Organizations club in the early 1960s. He sold his landscape paintings on gold prospecting pans to tourists to supplement his Air Force income. After leaving the Air Force, he returned to Florida and attended various art schools and painting classes, eventually discovering the wet-on-wet painting technique taught by William Bill Alexander.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 29 October 1942 |
| Birthplace | Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Parents | Jack and Ollie Ross |
| Education | Dropped out of high school in the 9th grade |
| Early Career | Carpenter |
| Military Service | Enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at age 18 |
| Stationed in | Alaska |
| First Painting Class | At a United Service Organizations club in the early 1960s |
| Painting Technique | Learned the "wet-on-wet" oil painting technique from television instructor Bill Alexander |
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What You'll Learn
Bob Ross was a carpenter with his father before joining the Air Force
During his time in the Air Force, Ross was first stationed in Florida before being transferred to an airbase in Alaska. It was in Alaska that Ross took his first painting class at a United Service Organizations (USO) club. He discovered a passion for painting, particularly landscapes, and began selling his artwork to tourists on gold prospecting pans. Ross's military career included a stint as a drill sergeant, where he earned the nickname "Bust 'em up Bobby" for his strict demeanour.
After completing his service in the Air Force, Ross returned to Florida and dedicated himself to refining his artistic skills. He attended various art schools and painting classes, eventually mastering the wet-on-wet (or alla prima) oil painting technique. This technique, which involves applying oil paint on top of still-wet paint, became a hallmark of his artistic style. Ross also developed a unique and approachable persona, sporting a permed afro and denim outfits, and speaking in a soothing and intimate voice that captivated viewers.
In the early 1980s, Ross launched "The Joy of Painting," an instructional television program that aired on PBS in the United States and other channels internationally. The show made him a household name and he became one of the most well-known American painters of his time. Ross's approachable demeanour and positive outlook, along with his distinctive painting technique, endeared him to fans around the world. His influence extended beyond the art world, as he found a new generation of fans through platforms like Twitch and YouTube, solidifying his legacy as an enduring cultural icon.
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He worked as a bartender while in the Air Force
Bob Ross was a bartender while serving in the Air Force. Ross joined the Air Force at the age of 18 in 1960. He was first stationed in Florida and then transferred to an airbase in Alaska. To supplement his Air Force pay, he worked as a bartender and sold his landscape paintings on gold prospecting pans to tourists. Ross took his first painting class at a United Service Organizations club in Anchorage in the early 1960s. He was inspired to paint landscapes by the TV painter Bill Alexander, and he soon discovered his signature wet-on-wet painting technique.
Ross's income from painting quickly surpassed his military salary. In 1981, he returned to Florida and trained under Alexander, becoming a certified painting instructor. Ross's love for painting and his desire to share it with the world led him to launch "The Joy of Painting" on public television in 1982. The show, which aired from 1983 to 1994, made him a household name as the painting teacher to the masses.
Ross's time in the Air Force was not solely focused on bartending, as he also served as a drill sergeant, earning the nickname "Bust 'em up Bobby." However, his discovery of painting during this time set him on a path to becoming one of the most well-known American painters of his time. Ross's passion for art and his unique, accessible approach to teaching it left a lasting impact on the world of painting and popular culture.
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Ross was a drill sergeant, earning the nickname Bust 'em up Bobby
Bob Ross was a drill sergeant before he became a painter. He joined the Air Force at the age of 18 and was stationed in Alaska, where he spent the next 20 years of his life. Ross was a tough and strict sergeant, often screaming at recruits, and earned the nickname "Bust 'em up Bobby".
During his time in the Air Force, Ross took his first painting class at a United Service Organizations club in the early 1960s. He was inspired to start painting by the TV painter Bill Alexander, and soon began selling his landscape paintings on gold prospecting pans to tourists. Ross's income from painting eventually surpassed his military salary, and in 1981, he left the Air Force to pursue art full-time.
Upon returning to Florida, Ross trained under Alexander and became a certified painting instructor. He refined the wet-on-wet oil painting technique he had learned from Alexander, creating his own unique version along with custom-made paints, brushes, and knives. Ross went on to launch "The Joy of Painting" on public television in 1982, which made him a household name as the painting teacher to the masses.
Ross's time in the military had a significant impact on his life and career. While he was known for his tough demeanour as a drill sergeant, his passion for art and teaching others allowed him to connect with his students and build a successful career as a painter and instructor.
Ross's military nickname, "Bust 'em up Bobby", stood in stark contrast to the persona he later cultivated as a gentle and encouraging teacher. His time in the Air Force also influenced his subject matter, as he often painted landscapes featuring mountains, trees, and clouds that were inspired by the natural beauty of Alaska.
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He sold his landscape paintings on gold prospecting pans to tourists
Bob Ross was a carpenter before he became a painter. He worked with his father, also a carpenter, until an accident caused him to lose part of his left index finger. After this incident, Ross decided carpentry wasn't for him, and he joined the Air Force at the age of 18.
While stationed in Alaska, he took his first painting class at a United Service Organizations club in the early 1960s. Ross began to paint landscapes on gold prospecting pans, which he sold to tourists at local markets and fairs in Alaska. His income from painting soon surpassed his military salary, and he decided to pursue art as a career.
Ross was inspired by the TV painter Bill Alexander and his show, 'The Magic of Oil Painting'. He learned the wet-on-wet alla prima oil painting technique from Alexander, which involved applying oil paint on top of still-wet oil paint, rather than waiting for layers to dry. Ross continued to experiment and refine this technique, ultimately creating his own unique version along with custom-made paints, brushes, and knives.
Ross's paintings on gold prospecting pans were just the beginning of his artistic journey. He went on to sell thousands of his landscape paintings at flea markets, fairs, and malls, often for small sums of cash. His artwork and teaching style would later gain widespread recognition through his television show, 'The Joy of Painting', which aired from 1983 to 1994.
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Ross was a certified painting instructor
Bob Ross was a certified painting instructor. He created and hosted the instructional television program "The Joy of Painting", which aired from 1983 to 1994 on PBS in the United States and in several other countries. Ross became a household name as the painting teacher to the masses, with his soothing and intimate speaking voice making viewers feel as if they were receiving a personal, one-on-one painting lesson.
Ross was inspired to take up painting by TV painter Bill Alexander, whose show "The Magic of Oil Painting" aired on PBS from 1974 to 1982. Ross learned the wet-on-wet (or alla prima) oil painting technique from Alexander, which involved applying oil paint on top of still-wet oil paint, rather than waiting between layers for the paint to dry. Ross continued to experiment with and refine this technique, ultimately creating his own unique version along with custom-made paints, brushes, and knives.
Ross was passionate about sharing his love for painting with the world, and in 1982, he launched "The Joy of Painting" on public television. The show featured Ross creating detailed landscapes in 30 minutes with the help of a housepainting brush and a palette knife, all while chatting and offering words of encouragement. Ross also marketed his painting technique and established a successful company, Bob Ross Inc., selling instructional books, videos, and a line of art supplies, as well as offering painting workshops with teachers trained in his method.
Ross's paintings were largely circulated among collectors before he launched his television show. He also sold thousands of his landscape paintings at flea markets, fairs, and malls, often for small sums of cash. Ross's work was so prolific that during his lifetime, he produced tens of thousands of paintings. However, only a handful of his works have been available for sale in recent years, with his paintings fetching $10,000 or more when they do appear on the market.
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Frequently asked questions
Bob Ross worked as a carpenter with his father after dropping out of high school in the ninth grade.
Ross enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 18. He was stationed in Alaska, where he took his first painting class at a United Service Organizations club in the early 1960s.
Bob Ross discovered his passion for painting while serving in the military in Alaska. He further refined his skills by seeking private painting lessons with Alexander, eventually mastering the wet-on-wet oil painting technique.
