If Bob Ross were still awake , he ’d be perhaps throw by all the renewed attention he ’s receive . Best known for his Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS ) TV show " The Joy of Painting , " where he liked to paint landscapes with what he called " felicitous , small tree diagram , " Ross leave behind behind an empire of brand painting supplies , DVDs , Christian Bible and Certified Ross Instructor courses thatstill thrives today .
Viewers tuned in less to learnbrushstrokesand more to learn his solace part drive home aphorisms like , " There are no mistake , just happy chance event . " So , what might you not know about Bob Ross ? Here are five fun facts :
1. He Learned to Paint in the Air Force
Ross probably did n’t excise you as a military Isle of Man , but he was in the Air Force for 20 twelvemonth . While post in Alaska , the Florida indigene saw for the first time the mountains and snow that would be repeat themes in his piece of work . He also watch out a TV show called " The Magic of Oil Painting " and took lessons from its host , Bill Alexander . Ross was a quick study : " I developed means of paint passing tight . I used to go home at lunch and do a couple while I had my sandwich . I ’d take them back that good afternoon and sell them , '' hetold the Orlando Sentinelin 1990 .
2. His Hair Was Naturally Straight
What ? Was n’t the curly fro his signature look ? Yes , and that was the problem . When Ross was a struggling Felis concolor , he tried to make unnecessary money by letting his pilus develop out and getting a perm . By the fourth dimension he was successful , the ' do had become part of his company ’s logotype . " He could never , ever , ever exchange his hair , and he was so crazy about that , " Annette Kowalski , Ross ' longtime job managertold NPR . " He got threadbare of that curly hair . "
3. He Did Three Paintings for Each TV Show
Ross got his prominent break with " The Joy of Painting , " which beam from 1983 - 1994 on almost every PBS place . He made painting attend so effortless , but it was n’t . He paintedthree versionsof the same picture for each episode : One was off camera and used for reference ; the second was the one he did during the show and the third was a more elaborated version for consumption in his instructional books . He also rehearsed every word he planned to say during his show , despite the fact that the whole affair looked off the handcuff .
4. He Was Short One Fingertip
Ross misplace the tip of his left over fingerbreadth during a sawing accident while woodworking with his father as a boy . He normally held the pallet in his left paw so he could veil the missing digit .
5. He’s Bigger Today Than Ever
Ross died in 1995 from lymphoma , but somehow he ’s take ona second lifeas a meme , Twitchcelebrity andHalloween costume . The show still airs on many PBS stations . viewer ca n’t get enough of his calm voice and mellow personality . The connection estimated that less than 10 pct of viewers painted along with him . Most tune in for amusement or relaxation . " We ’ve get letters from people who say they catch some Z’s better when the show is on,“said Ross in 1990 .
