Bob Ross was a beloved American artist and pop culture icon who taught quick lessons in painting on PBS's The Joy of Painting, which aired from January 11, 1983, to May 17, 1994. He died in July of 1995.
Ross was known for his slightly odd behavior and lessons imparted while painting during every show. He painted mostly natural scenes and taught viewers how to do the same in simple(ish) steps and commentary.
In honor of his birthday today, here are a few of our favorite Ross lessons:
See also: - Six Life Lessons Learned From Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark - Seven Life Lessons Learned from Comedian Phyllis Diller (1917-2012) - Seven Life Lessons Learned from Neil Armstrong (1930-2012)
10. People might look at you a bit funny, but it's okay. Artists are allowed to be a bit different.
9. Just scrape in a few indications of sticks and twigs and other little things in there. People will think you spend hours doing this.
8. Shwooop. Hehe. You have to make those little noises, or it just doesn't work.
7. Talk to the tree, make friends with it.
6. I can't think of anything more rewarding than being able to express yourself to others through painting. Exercising the imagination, experimenting with talents, being creative; these things, to me, are truly the windows to your soul.
5. The secret to doing anything is believing that you can do it. Anything that you believe you can do strong enough, you can do. Anything. As long as you believe.
4. All you need to paint is a few tools, a little instruction, and a vision in your mind.
3. There's nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend.
2. We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents.
1. You can do anything you want to do. This is your world.
