Why Are So Many People Obsessed With the Painter Bob Ross?

As an artist who also works in an art supplies store, all year I’ve noticed a large increase in people who have never done any art before keen to take up oil painting. Which is an interesting choice for someone without an art background, as it’s one of the more difficult traditional mediums. “I’ve been watching an artist called Bob Ross on YouTube” they’d say. “I binged-watched so many of his episodes because it was so calming for me” and “he’s really inspired me to take up painting - even though I’m kind of bad at art”. I was curious to see what all the fuss was about. I did some research, and this is what I found. Who is Bob Ross? If you're not familiar with the name, Bob Ross is probably America's most famous modern painter. The Joy of Painting was an instructional TV show created and hosted by Bob Ross that ran from 1983 to 1994. Over the last few years, his TV show has been uploaded onto Netflix, YouTube and free-to-air television, resulting in him suddenly appearing in modern pop-culture through memes, Halloween costumes, and even lego. Bob Ross was a softly spoken man, with large permed hair, who gently explained various wet-on-wet oil painting techniques while completing a painting, usually tree-covered mountain scenes. He starts off with a blank canvas and builds the picture by adding "happy little trees" and "soft little clouds" until a beautiful landscape manifests on the canvas. According to the PBS network, 90% of viewers didn't even paint along with the instructional lesson, but just enjoyed watching the show. It appealed to everyone, from children to the elderly, who were fascinated not only with his painting style, but also the myth behind the man himself. The Bob Ross mythology is basically this: he joined the Airforce at 18 where he developed a reputation as a fearsome drill sergeant. This really didn't sit well with him and he vowed as soon as he left the military he would never yell or raise his voice again - and he didn't. He took up painting to enjoy a calmer lifestyle and created the free-to-air show to share his painting style with everyone. He wasn’t paid by the network - he did it all for free. Even 25 years after his death, he's still popular not only with those who remember him fondly, but with kids who weren't even born when his show first aired. Why is He Now Popular Again? Bob Ross has found his way back into popular culture through a dedicated Youtube channel and hilarious viral memes, which showcase his iconic hair and positive outlook. He’s been recently featured this year on both the UK’s BBC network and the online streaming service Twitch, exposing a new generation of people to his sweet, soothing voice and wholesome life philosophies. There’s little doubt Bob Ross is a beloved artist, now more than ever. A permanent exhibit dedicated to the painter called The Bob Ross Experience was created this year to allow fans to see how Bob lived and filmed his show at the artist’s actual home at the time. Visiting this exhibit, you’ll get to see a 1980’s style living room, complete with the artist’s painting tools, easel and brushes, with many of the artefacts available to touch. With catchphrases like ‘if painting does nothing else, it should make you happy’ and ‘there are no mistakes, just happy little accidents’, it’s easy to see why Bob Ross has become a beacon for wholesomeness and positivity. And maybe he’s exactly what the world needs right now.