Although Ross publicly credited Alexander with teaching him the wet-on-wet technique, Alexander later accused Ross of betraying and copying him, telling The New York Times: “What bothers me is not just that he betrayed me, but that he thinks he can do it better.”Īlthough Ross’ perm is one of his most recognizable characteristics, he did not actually like the hairdo. They pooled their savings and created their own company, with Kowalski working as Ross’ manager. Kowalski convinced Ross to strike out on his own. I said, ‘Let’s put it in a bottle and sell it.’” Kowalski had recently lost a son in a traffic accident, and Ross’ kind personality and calming demeanor “lifted me up out of that depression. Ross taught wet-on-wet to several friends and colleagues, including Annette Kowalski, who Ross met during one of his sessions in Florida. He studied the wet-on-wet technique under William Alexander by joining his Alexander Magic Art Supplies Company and working as a traveling salesman and painting tutor. Ross attended various art schools after leaving the Air Force. Early Painting Careerīob Ross jubiantly holding up paint palette and brushes as he stands in front of wall covered with his landscape paintings in his studio. He retired from the Air Force in 1981 with the rank of master sergeant. Soon, Ross was making more money from his paintings than from his military position, according to the Sentinel. Alexander utilized alla prima, or the “wet-on-wet” technique, in which paintings could be completed very quickly, with different layers of oil paints applied immediately instead of having to wait for layers to dry. I’d take them back that afternoon and sell them.”Īround 1975, while still working for the military, he saw the show, The Magic of Oil Painting, hosted by the German painter William Alexander. This helped Ross learn how to paint extremely quickly, according to the Orlando Sentinel: “I used to go home at lunch and do a couple while I had my sandwich. Ross supplemented his Air Force income by working shifts at a tavern, where he sold tourists landscapes he’d painted on gold-panning tins. He loved the art form and continued taking classes. Ross fell in love with Alaskan mountains during his time in the Air Force and began his journey as an artist during a painting class at a U.S.O. Upon reaching the rank of first sergeant, Ross described himself as “the guy who makes you scrub the latrine, the guy who makes you make your bed, the guy who screams at you for being late to work.” This role earned him the nickname “Bust ’Em Up Bobby,” but he disliked the disciplinarian role and promised himself he would have a gentler personality after leaving the military. Due to his 6-foot-2 height and flat feet he did not train as as pilot or work on planes, but instead had a desk job as a medical records technician. Air Force in 1961 and served for 20 years. While working with his father as a carpenter in his youth, Bob lost part of his left index finger in a saw accident, but it did not affect his future painting ability. Raised in Orlando, Ross dropped out of high school in the ninth grade. His father, Jack, was a carpenter, and his mother, Ollie, was a waitress. Quick FactsįULL NAME: Robert Norman Ross BORN: OctoDIED: JBIRTHPLACE: Daytona Beach, Florida SPOUSES: Vivian Ridge (1965-1977), Jane Lee Zanardelli (1977-1992), Lynda Brown (1995) CHILDREN: Jimmie and Steve ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Scorpio Early Lifeīob Ross was born Robert Norman Ross in Daytona, Florida, on October 29, 1942. Following his death in 1995 from lymphoma, Ross has remained a household name and generated a new following on digital media platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Ross became beloved for his light humor, gentle demeanor, and distinctive look and hairstyle. After becoming an instructor himself, Ross launched the PBS television series The Joy of Painting, where he taught his technique to millions of viewers. He studied the “wet-on-wet” technique, which allowed him to produce complete paintings in less than an hour. Bob Ross discovered oil painting while he was enlisted in the U.S.
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