Forty-two years ago, a gentle giant stepped from amongst
the mountains, swept the clouds from his eyes, and
changed our views of art forever.
This collaborative painting you see in the background was created during the opening weekend of Bob Ross: The Joy Behind the Painting in 1991,
with Bob Ross adding a small airplane to honor his longtime friend and fellow creator Ed Ball.
Today, there are few American homes that do not know the name Bob Ross. Bob joined millions of Americans each and every weekend as he encouraged us to grab a glass of iced tea, our palette, easel, and a handful of almighty brushes, and create splendid masterpieces right on our very canvas. It was truly unprecedented! It broke so many ‘laws’ of art; conventional artists were left stunned and amazed. Bob Ross showed all of us we did not have to have enormous natural talent to paint and create art, we only needed a little inspiration.
Bob’s debut on the small screen changed the art industry forever. Thousands of people were swarming to art stores to purchase paints and brushes. It was the epidemic of the art world. There was nowhere Bob could go where people did not want to show him what they had been able to do because of the time he spent with them every week on the television. Ask anyone that has sat in front of the TV, and they and their easel will tell you the same thing: “It’s like he’s talking to just me.” Because of that, countless people have been taught how to paint by Bob Ross.
For over forty years, Bob Ross and Certified Ross Instructor® (CRIs®) around the globe have instructed millions on the Bob Ross wet-on-wet painting technique. With fourteen colors on their palette, students are taught to brush in the sky, wisp in clouds, construct almighty mountains, and even set their reflections in nice and calm. Students walk in, some with no prior art instruction except what they may have learned in grade school. Others may understand acrylic or watercolor paints, but oil paint is a different matter.
At Minnetrista, we offer the Bob Ross Experience exhibition, but also so much more. We host painting workshops each and every week. Upon completion of a course, you will take home your very own re-creation of a Bob Ross painting. (You might even get to beat the devil out of your brush!)
But what if you don’t like to paint landscapes? You don’t want to tap in those almighty trees or construct mountains? Would you be more interested in painting beautiful flower arrangements: long-stem roses, bright poppies, the soft and elegant petals of the amaryllis?
If so, you’re in luck because Minnetrista has recently added to our array of workshops new Bob Ross Floral Methods classes. If you have attended a Bob Ross landscape class, rest assured that these are distinct. We’ll still use oil paint and natural bristle brushes, but the technique for florals is vastly different. There is no wisping of the clouds and no almighty mountains, but instead you can watch the gentle unfolding of a flower coming to life on your very own canvas.
In addition, our Bob Ross painting workshops are not just for those over 14 anymore; kids (ages 8+) now have the chance to pull back the blanket of creativity and unleash it onto their canvas! Through the use of the same brushes and paints (all of which are non-toxic) we use in our adult classes, kids learn how to apply the same amazing techniques for themselves. They are given the same instructions but adapted by our staff for a younger audience. By the end of the workshop, they learn to produce incredible works of art!
So far, Minnetrista has held four Kids’ Bob Ross painting workshops, with high praise from the young artists. These classes are unique to Minnetrista, so make sure you grab a spot for that special someone before it’s too late. The workshops are only two hours long, and they’re a great opportunity to give younger artists the creative freedom they crave.
At each workshop, regardless of whether it’s for children or adults, a Certified Ross Instructor® will guide you step-by-step through the creation process, sharing tips and tricks to enhance your painting along the way. These classes are the perfect opportunity for you, some friends, or a child in your life to learn new skills and develop a new hobby, so we invite you to give one a chance! Trust us when we tell you Bob was right, and you can do this.
Click the button below to book a painting workshop
or to learn more about the Bob Ross Experience!