Not many people know I had the experience of a lifetime as an 8th grader. My parents agreed to let me take a painting class from Steve Ross, Bob Ross’ son. It meant I skipped school for a full week and I absolutely loved every minute of it.

There came a point in my artistic explorations and studies where no longer held the experience in such high regard. I chose to tuck that bit of history away… “I can’t believe I ever made such cliched unrealistic landscape art.”

The television painting series, The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, which aired on PBS for over a decade beginning in 1983 has been experiencing a rise in popularity once again. The artist’s calm nature, his wise sayings, reflections on life and art-making, and step-by-step painting demonstrations have become a hit with a whole new generation of viewers.

And this has caused me to look a bit less judgmentally at my early training and introduction into the challenging medium of oil paint. SO much in fact, that in seeing just how very formative Bob and Steve were to my techniques and mindset as an artist, I’ve been inspired to create a new body of work.

I am delighted to be bringing you a bit of scenic beauty and some simple wisdom through a new series of Bob Ross inspired ceramic pieces. The feedback I’ve gotten is already quite positive so watch your email and social media for this collection’s launch date.

How about you? Does Bob’s work and teaching inspire you in some way?

​