Bob Ross
Luna
Is it that hypnotical, smooth like butter voice? The relentless optimism?
Has his premature death elevated him to some kind of art for the masses
martyr?
Just curious.
jean
Chillie Benes
jean_c...@hotmail.com says...
>
>What has caused this enormous interest in him?
>
>Is it that hypnotical, smooth like butter voice?
You got it! He hypnotizes viewers into
believing that they will magically wake
up as world-class artists. You'll hear
his mantra the rest of your life as you
drift through life, looking up for those
"happy little clouds" rather than walking
in a fog.
NightMist
wrote:
I think he is very attractive to the common man 'cause he has happy
trees.
Barbara
Pacific Lost Girl
"Luna" <jean_c...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:JLCa8.7186$zj7.1...@news1.telusplanet.net...
Luna
"Chillie Benes" <who...@noemailever.com> wrote in message
news:3c6b0...@oracle.zianet.com...
Yes, but clouds are just ... high fog, aren't they?
He really is a phenomenon. I sell art supplies and the sales of his stuff
outweigh the sales of any of my fine art lines 2:1. It's weird.
jean
>
>
Luna
"Pacific Lost Girl" <lost...@kittens.choohoo.com> wrote in message
news:3c6b6...@news.nwlink.com...
> Bob Ross makes me *happy* ...and that is quite sufficient. :)
Who could ask for more. ;)
jean
Luna
"NightMist" <nigh...@uir.zzn.com> wrote in message
news:3c6b2a52...@news.madbbs.com...
He certainly goes against the tortured artist stereotype most people have in
their minds. I wonder if that's what makes his technique/philosophy so
accessible?
Anyway, thanks for answering.
jean
>
> Barbara
>
Luna
"Dan Fox" <danf...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:20020213223202.798$G...@newsreader.com...
> It is because he was Jewish. Next question?
Ahh, yes, the conspiracy.
*nods sagely*
jean
> --
> Dan
>
> 'The self, violent and constant, is the subject of all art.' - Barnett
> Newman http://www.danfoxart.com
Nikolaus Maack
Bob Ross was a rejected muppet. Jim Henson made him, shook his head and
said, "Too fuzzy". Ross found himself on the street.
But Ross took the rejection in stride. He learned to paint, snuck in the
back door of PBS, and started a cult movement. Millions of people across
the planet worship him.
Because most people listen to the way Ross speaks instead of what he's
actually saying, Bob has managed to sneak in many subliminal messages.
Listen to some of his shows closely and you'll hear him say:
"Now I'll put a happy tree here. And another happy tree here. Arm
yourselves, rise up against the government, and overthrow them. And one
more happy tree here."
Whoever said that Ross is dead is mistaken. He didn't die. He willingly
shed his corporeal form and ascended into paradise.
Nik
mdeli
wrote:
>What has caused this enormous interest in him?
He can do something most of the schmierers classed as fine artists
can't do. Anyone who has normal vision can sense this.
Learning art is often hard, requires knowledge and discipline and
after all that few can do it really well. That's why it's an art.
...no skill no art
"The Emperor's New Clothes aren't clothing you stupid little girl. They are body installations containing invisible Color Fields."
Tired of Modern Art? Check out my web page
New address- http://www3.sympatico.ca/manideli
Neil Maxwell
made it look easy. He starts with a blank canvas, mixes and dabs
paints in an offhand and not very concerned way, and like magic, a
pretty and recognizable image slowly appears. To people who want to
make art but are not prepared to devote their lives to it, and have
tried putting paint/marker/whatever to paper with awful results, this
is like the teachings of a spiritual guru.
He doesn't tell you you have to work hard. He doesn't tell you that
you need divine inspiration. He doesn't make a mystery of it. He
says "How about a few trees over here? That'll look nice! Just put a
little grey, 'cuz they're in the shadows of the hill, then brighten it
up with the yellow, 'cuz the sun's peeking over..."
Is this the right path to creating Art? No, I don't believe so. Does
it help people learn a craft, and make them feel better about
themselves? It appears so. Is this a good thing? Absolutely!
Was Bob Ross an artist? I'd have to say so, though many on this group
will disagree (let's not go there!). Is his show about making Art?
Nah... He created an opportunity, made the most of it, and made money
doing something he loved and that people liked. Many folks have done
worse.
Regardless, I'll take ol' Bob over Thomas Kinkade any day.
Neil Maxwell - I don't speak for my employer
Erik A. Mattila
> At the risk of proposing a serious answer, I believe it's because he
> made it look easy. He starts with a blank canvas, mixes and dabs
> paints in an offhand and not very concerned way, and like magic, a
> pretty and recognizable image slowly appears. To people who want to
> make art but are not prepared to devote their lives to it, and have
> tried putting paint/marker/whatever to paper with awful results, this
> is like the teachings of a spiritual guru.
>
> He doesn't tell you you have to work hard. He doesn't tell you that
> you need divine inspiration. He doesn't make a mystery of it. He
> says "How about a few trees over here? That'll look nice! Just put a
> little grey, 'cuz they're in the shadows of the hill, then brighten it
> up with the yellow, 'cuz the sun's peeking over..."
>
> Is this the right path to creating Art? No, I don't believe so. Does
> it help people learn a craft, and make them feel better about
> themselves? It appears so. Is this a good thing? Absolutely!
>
> Was Bob Ross an artist? I'd have to say so, though many on this group
> will disagree (let's not go there!). Is his show about making Art?
> Nah... He created an opportunity, made the most of it, and made money
> doing something he loved and that people liked. Many folks have done
> worse.
>
> Regardless, I'll take ol' Bob over Thomas Kinkade any day.
Yes, the so-called 'art world' is like The Blob - reproduces itself and
oozes everywhere. I've encountered a few time, especially if rural
areas, parts of the BobRoss/Alexander Art Underground, usually in the
form of a local art supply store owner and immediate circle of friends.
I find it very interesting. There's even a publication for the
Sidewalk Artists of America - "Sunshine Artists" - that makes a very
credible argument that street fairs and shopping malls are the place to
be if you're an artist (credible in terms of numbers, figures, sales
stats etc.) Reading this rag was a lot of fun - especially the favorite
topic that was discussed often:
If you want to go for prize money, paint abstracts.
If you want to go for sales: paint traditionals.
Sometimes I think people who see themselves as "REAL ARTISTS" feel
threatened by flower painting. Strange....I mean, as ole Bob used to
say "Who cares?"
Erik
Chillie Benes
>parts of the BobRoss/Alexander Art Underground
It's odd that Bill Alexander goes unmentioned, isn't it.
He founded the process of Magic White painting. Not
only that, Bob Ross mimicks Alexander's line of patter.
I first heard about "happy clouds" and all the rest
of the usual "happiness" terms on the Bill Alexander
painting shows on TV. You can still buy supplies with
the Alexander name on them, as well as with Bob Ross' name.
I wonder if they are the of the same company? I'll
bet the fine print on the label would say. Anyone
have supplies from both that they could look at?
For those who would like to explore Bill Alexander's
paintings, biography, Magic Painting products, etc.
here is a web site devoted to him:
Pacific Lost Girl
My understanding of the situation is that Bob Ross was the intended
successor to Bill Alexander. Ross actually worked for Alexander for a period
of time at Alexander's company in Salem, Oregon. Alexander introduced Bob to
the world and endorsed Bob as his successor when he (Alexander) retired.
Thank you for the link, I enjoyed it.
A while back, I found an explanation of how Bob Ross became America's
favorite painter, written by the woman (Annette Kowalski) who "discovered"
him and became obsessed with making him famous...and succeeded. It's very
interesting:
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Square/5742/new/bobross.htm
If you're interested in how Bob Ross became famous (and/or his relationship
with Bill Alexander), this should satisfy your curiosity. :) It is also
inspiring.
"Chillie Benes" <who...@noemailever.com> wrote in message
news:3c6d1...@oracle.zianet.com...
NightMist
wrote:
My husband is a fan of Bill Alexander. In fact I am thinking of
getting him a couple of videos and some oils. If it inspires him to
pick up a brush and have fun with it, I'm all for it. So far as I see
looking at the info, Alexander Art and Bob Ross Art are not in any way
connected.
I have to say I like Bill Alexander's patter better than Bob Ross's.
Alexander paints with _enthusiasm_. His manic "you are God in this
painting! You are the creator!" rap is something that a few 'serious'
artists of my aquaintence could do with hearing.
Barbara
wandering off humming the "red and yellow and blue will do" song
New Potty
Bob Ross was an artist's artist. He was the Stanley Kubrick of the art world.
NP.