Tribute to Bob Ross (Patreon)

I’m a big fan of Bob Ross. When I was a kid, I loved watching his show, “The Joy of Painting,” on PBS. It was amazing to see him turn a blank canvas into a beautiful painting in less than 30 minutes. He was a master. I also liked his consistent message, “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.” I tell my daughter and son that when they’re working on projects. Made a big ink blotch on the page? That’s a happy accident. Turn it into a tree! 

My wife, who teaches fifth grade, says a similar thing if one of our kids (or one of her students) makes a mistake on an art project. She calls it a “Beautiful Oops,” which is from the book, Beautiful Oops. Whether it’s a Happy Accident or a Beautiful Oops, it’s a good thing to remember no matter what age you are. 

I drew these cartoons as a tribute to Bob Ross. Interestingly, when I posted them on social media, there were people who were very offended—some were downright enraged—because they thought I was making fun of Bob Ross. I was surprised by that reaction. (Why would anyone make fun of Bob Ross? It’s like ridiculing Mister Rogers. Just not cool!) Luckily, most people appreciated the jokes and understood the intent behind them.  

By the way, if you’re feeling anxious, try watching a Joy of Painting episode on YouTube. Even after a few minutes, you’ll likely feel a little better. During these unsettling times, Bob Ross can help you relax.

I hope you enjoy your weekend as much as you can during these strange times!