By Darla McCammon
and DeeAnna Muraski
Guest Columnists
WARSAW — With Memorial Day still on our minds, this week’s artist had significant military service. At this point in our American Artist series, from the 1900s to today, our country experienced heartaches and tragedies. We are on the cusp of the 1960s with a succession of significant deaths and assassinations: movie star Marilyn Monroe (1962), President John F. Kennedy (1963), his brother Robert Kennedy (1968) and Martin Luther King Jr. (1968). On the war front, the Cold War is still carrying on, the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) caused significant panic, the civil rights movement is causing riots and destruction and President Lyndon Johnson’s government-sponsored social programs caused decades of dependency. Then to make matters worse, the Vietnam War (1959-1975) and the ensuing rioting protesters add to the milieu.
Like many of the predecessors this artist admired, Walt Disney and Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), our artist this month also served in the military. Robert Norman Ross was born in Daytona Beach, Fla., in 1942. Enlisting at 18 years old, Ross served for a commendable 20 years (1961-1981) in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the coveted rank of master sergeant, the seventh enlisted grade. In the Air Force, this position is significant for its transition from technical ability to leadership and supervisory ability.
We know this patriot better as Bob Ross. Most notably, we recognize Ross for his gigantic fluffy hairdo and bigger than life heart. We can thank the Air Force’s forced 20-year crew cut for Ross’ iconic follicles. We can also thank them for assigning Ross to Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The verdant wildlife, powdered-sugar caped mountains and quiet nature he was exposed to became recurrent themes in his painting.
Having the harsh realities of life exposed to him daily in the military made him forgo abstract art for reality — and a happy reality. During his military career, he learned how to paint and started teaching others. The specific technique he used is called wet-on-wet, and it has been used for centuries by the masters to create a translucent gossamer appearance to fine thin fabrics such as lace. Ross used it instead on his oil paintings as a base coat which allowed him to quickly create paintings in a 30-minute time frame. Ross and his wife incorporated a company to sell his paintings, which he would do in a door-to-door fashion, and made double his military pay.
In the 1980s, Ross went on air for PBS to film a small painting program called “The Joy of Painting.” He did not receive a salary for doing the show, staged in Muncie, Ind., and the majority of his income came from painting sales, classes, videotapes and his art supply line. Ross’ soothing tones coupled with his calming tranquil images helped the show stay on air for more than 10 years. Unfortunately, the show ended abruptly because of Ross’ health issues, which caused him to pass away only a year later at the young age of 52.
While Ross merchandized his products, he did not want his art to be financial chattel. Alternatively, Ross wanted patrons who could appreciate the beauty in what he created and relate to it. Over his short lifetime, he created 30,000 paintings, most of which never sold for more than $10,000 each. “The Joy of Painting” is still continually rebroadcast throughout the world. This is due to the audiences’ connection with the unassuming painter who brought the viewer into an alternative happy reality depicted in a 16-by-20-canvas world where everyone wanted to go.
“That’s why I paint. It’s because I can create the kind of world that I want, and I can make this world as happy as I want.” — Bob Ross
Place To Go
Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery: Artist Brenda Ramseier is showcasing her years of experience as an art teacher. You can view her artwork from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the City Hall, 102 S. Buffalo St., downtown Warsaw. You can also visit the website theartgiraffe.com to learn more about Ramseier.
Darla McCammon is an artist, columnist and author. DeeAnna Muraski is executive director of Operation Read USA Inc. Send an email to the mother/daughter team at either [email protected] or [email protected].
