2022
As the January sun rose to reveal a sparkling frost upon the landscape, my wife and I finished our coffee and set out on a two-hour drive. Traversing the byways of the Eastern Carolina backcountry, our trusty Maps led us slowly but surely to our destination in Rocky Mount, North Carolina: The Mims Gallery in the Dunn Center at North Carolina Wesleyan University - the temporary home of the largest display of Bob Ross paintings in the world.
Like millions of others across the globe, we hold a fondness for the soft-spoken instructor-artist who encouraged countless of would-be painters to embrace their “happy accidents” and venture fearlessly into "The Joy of Painting.”
“I think there’s an artist hidden at the bottom of every single one of us.” Ross would remark, “Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you’re willing to practice, you can do.”
As we made our way through the gallery, stopping to look in detail at each and every one of the 76 paintings, we were filled with a renewed appreciation for this man and his artworks. While this is the largest collection of Bob Ross works on display, it’s a mere fraction of the estimated 30,000 paintings he created in his lifetime - many of which were completed in real time in each 30-minute episode. With his Joy of Painting show on PBS Television spanning 31 seasons and 403 episodes, he work was a prime example of “quantity breeds quality” (for reference, Pablo Picasso is estimated to have an oeuvre of more than 147,000 pieces).
But infinitely more impressive than his work on the canvas, it is Bob Ross’ unique voice and accessibility that makes him a household name. Leaning close to appreciate the fine details that were imperceptible on television, I overhear an excited teenager telling her grandmother, “look Meemaw, there’s the one you painted!”
The cozy gallery is filled not with aficionados of the wine-and-cheese set, but rather the everyday people with whom Bob’s relaxed approach and gentle philosophy most powerfully resonated. A gallery attendant reassures a young boy, “That’s OK, you can touch it, just be gentle.” Below each painting hangs a placard listing the title of the work, the TV season and episode number and one of many of Bob’s characteristically soothing quotes - his philosophy in a nutshell.
At the center of the gallery a large monitor plays episode after episode of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross. How could it not? His calm, soft and encouraging voice makes me want to get a canvas, paints and some brushes and give it a try myself.
He makes painting feel so accessible and easy. While there are no people in his paintings - and very little trace of human existence or activity, his work is really all about people.
There’s a lot to take in and reflect on.
On the drive back home, as I contemplate mile after mile of North Carolina’s characteristic pine forests I smile to myself: “What happy little trees!”
Matt
Hi @Mikeinthefalls Unfortunately, the exhibition ended on January 4th. It started in November, and my wife and I procrastinated until the last minute. I don't see any listings for upcoming gallery exhibitions on his namesake website, but there currently is a "Bob Ross Experience" exhibition in Muncie Indiana at the Minnetrista Center that looks like a lot of fun.
@AdamGT Bob Ross has posthumously become an American pop culture icon in an endearing, retro kitschy way.
Anyone unfamiliar with him should check out one of his “Joy of Painting” episodes on YouTube and see how funny yet strangely mesmerizing and talented he was.
Here he is painting “Ebb Tide” in 27 minutes:
Thanks for the comments!
Matt
