>> HI, I'M CERTAINLY GLAD YOU CAN JOIN ME TODAY.
READY TO DO ANOTHER FANTASTIC PAINTING WITH ME?
>> YOU RECOGNIZE HIS ICONIC IMAGE.
>> WHO IS THIS?
THIS IS BOB ROSS!
THIS IS THE MOST FAMOUS PAINTER IN THE HISTORY OF
THE UNIVERSE.
>> Reporter: SIGNATURE PHRASES -- ANYTHING YOU WANT TO
BUILD, YOU CAN.
THIS IS YOUR WORLD.
>> Reporter: BOB ROSS IS ONE OF PUBLIC TELEVISION'S MOST
BELOVED PERSONALITIES.
>> THE BOB YOU SEE ON THE SHOW IS THE BOB WE ALL KNEW
EVEN BEHIND THE SCENES.
>> I USED TO WATCH BOB ROSS ALL THE TIME.
THE THING I REMEMBER IS HIS POSITIVITY.
HE MADE YOU WANT TO DO THAT.
>> HE WASN'T ONLY A PAINTER.
HE WAS AN ENTERTAINER IN HIS OWN RIGHT.
WITHOUT ANY FLASH.
HIS PAINTINGS SPOKE FOR HIM, AND HE KIND OF TOOK YOU BY
THE HAND AND LED YOU ALONG THE WAY.
>> I TALK TO ONLY ONE PERSON WHEN I'M FILMING, AND I'M
REALLY CRAZY ABOUT THAT PERSON.
>> Reporter: SOME WATCHED FOR HIS EASY-TO-LEARN
PAINTING TECHNIQUE.
>> WHEN I WATCH HIS METHOD, I GO WOW!
HOW DOES HE DO THAT?
IT'S AMAZING, AND HE MAKES IT LOOK INCREDIBLY EASY.
BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE ACTUALLY
TRY TO DO IT, THEY HAVE SUCCESS!
>> ONCE YOU HAVE THE TECHNIQUE DOWN, ALL YOU NEED
IS A DREAM IN YOUR HEART AND A DESIRE TO PUT IT ON CANVAS.
>> Reporter: AND SOME WERE JUST CAPTIVATED BY HIS
CALMING DEMEANOR.
>> AND I THINK THAT WAS PART OF HIS MAGIC.
HIS VOICE, HIS PRESENCE, MANNER, TONE.
I THINK HIS SINCERITY CAME ACROSS, AND I THINK PEOPLE
RELATE TO THAT.
THEY STILL DO.
>> EVERY LEGEND HAS AN INTANGIBLE AURA.
I JUST IMAGINE WHENEVER YOU'RE ENCOMPASSED WITH
GREATNESS, PEOPLE JUST WANT TO BE AROUND IT.
>> Reporter: BOB ROSS IS PUBLIC TELEVISION'S MOST
RECOGNIZABLE ARTIST.
>> EVERYONE KNOWS BOB ROSS, AND ESPECIALLY HIS HAIR.
>> Reporter: THIS IS THE STORY OF A YOUNG PAINTER
WITH A DREAM TO SHARE THE JOY OF PAINTING WITH EVERYONE.
>> MY FATHER, HE SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME WHEN HE CAME
HOME FROM WORK WATCHING PUBLIC TELEVISION.
HE WOULD HAVE US WATCH BOB ROSS AND LEARN HOW TO PAINT
AND USE OUR IMAGINATION.
>> I'M SURE THE WORD "MAGIC"
GETS USED A LOT, BUT IT REALLY IS LIKE MAGIC.
HE WOULD MIX UP HIS COLOR AND SAY, "I'M GOING TO TAKE
A LITTLE BIT OF THIS YELLOW AND STICK IT IN THIS BLACK,"
AND YOU'RE THINKING, WHAT?
YELLOW AND BLACK.
THAT'S SO COUNTERINTUITIVE.
AND THEN HE TAKES A PALLETTE KNIFE AND GETS A LITTLE
THING, AND THERE'S A TREE.
HOW DID YOU DO THAT?
>> PEOPLE SAY "I CAN'T DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE.
I DON'T HAVE TALENT TO DO WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
THAT'S BALONEY.
TALENT IS A PURSUED INTEREST.
ANYTHING YOU'RE WILLING TO PRACTICE, YOU CAN DO.
>> Reporter: THIS IS BOB ROSS, THE HAPPY PAINTER.
BUT BEFORE BOB BECAME ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ARTISTS ON
TELEVISION, ROBERT NORMAN ROSS WAS JUST JUST A BOY
FROM DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA.
HE WAS BORN ON OCTOBER 29, 1942, AND GREW UP IN THE
ORLANDO AREA.
HIS FATHER JACK WAS A BUILDER.
>> I USED TO BE A CARPENTER YEARS AGO.
MY FATHER WAS ONE, AND HE TAUGHT ME THE TRADE.
AND I TELL YOU WHAT, IT ISN'T THAT EASY TO MAKE A
SHED OR A BARN.
>> HE LOST A FINGER HELPING HIS FATHER.
WHEN THERE'S A PALLETTE SHOT, YOU CAN SEE THE MISSING
FINGER.
BUT BECAUSE IT WAS ON HIS LEFT HAND AND NOT HIS RIGHT,
IT DIDN'T AFFECT HIS ABILITY TO HOLD THE BRUSH.
>> BLENDER BRUSHES ARE VERY, VERY SOFT.
AS MY FATHER USED TO SAY, THEY'RE TENDER AS A MOTHER'S
LOVE.
IN MY CASE, THAT WAS CERTAINLY TRUE.
I'M VERY PREJUDICED, BUT I THINK I HAD THE GREATEST
MOTHER THERE WAS.
>> SHE HAD THE LARGEST INFLUENCE ON HIM.
SHE'S THE ONE WHO TAUGHT HIM THE LOVE OF WILDLIFE.
SECOND TO PAINTING, OR MAYBE EVEN MORE THAN PAINTING, BOB
LOVED WILDLIFE.
>> I THINK WHEN I WAS A KID I MUST HAVE HAD EVERY KIND
OF PET IMAGINABLE.
I LIVED IN FLORIDA, SO I HAD ACCESS TO A LOT OF CREATURES,
BUT I HAD A PET SNAKE.
MAN, HE GOT OUT OF THE CAGE AND WAS LOST IN THE HOUSE NO
FOR A LONG TIME.
MY MOTHER GOT UP AND WENT TO THE BATHROOM ONE NIGHT, AND
HE WAS IN THERE AND SCARED HER!
>> Reporter: BUT BOB'S CHILDHOOD WASN'T ALL THAT EASY.
>> BOB SAYS THAT THEY WERE NOT WEALTHY, AND, REALLY, I
THINK HE VIEWED THESE WILD ANIMALS -- ANYTHING HE COULD
GET HIS HANDS ON -- AS TOYS AND ENTERTAINMENT.
>> Reporter: HIS MOTHER AND FATHER SEPARATED WHEN BOB
WAS VERY YOUNG.
HIS MOTHER REMARRIED BRIEFLY AND HAD ANOTHER SON, BOB'S
BROTHER, JIM.
>> WHEN I WAS A KID, I USED TO SIT AROUND, MY BROTHER
AND I,WE WOULD LOOK AT THE CLOUDS, AND WE WOULD PICK
OUT ALL KINDS OF SHAPES.
WE WOULD SEE THE MEAN OLD WITCH OR THE CANDY MAN OR
WHATEVER.
>> Reporter: TWENTY YEARS LATER, BOB'S MOM MARRIED HIS
DAD AGAIN.
BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE LONG TOGETHER.
BOB'S FATHER DIED SOON AFTER THEY REMARRIED.
SCHOOL WAS ALSO TOUGH FOR BOB.
>> SEE THE X'S?
THAT'S THE WAY MY TEACHER USED TO GRADE MY PAPER IN SCHOOL.
SHE WOULD JUST RUN ACROSS IT WITH XXX.
>> Reporter: WHEN HE WAS JUST 18 YEARS OLD, BOB
JOINED THE AIR FORCE.
>> I SPENT HALF MY LIFE IN THE MILITARY, AND I USED TO
COME HOME, TAKE OFF MY LITTLE SOLDIER HAT, PUT ON
MY PAINTER'S HAT.
>> Reporter: HE GOT MARRIED AND HAD A SON, STEVEN.
>> HE HAS BEEN PAINTING, THINK, SINCE HE WAS BORN.
HE WAS ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD BEFORE HE REALIZED EVERYBODY
DIDN'T PAINT.
>> Reporter: BUT BOB SOON FOUND HIMSELF RAISING A SON
ON HIS OWN.
HIS FIRST MARRIAGE DIDN'T LAST LONG.
BOB AND HIS SON HAD A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP, AND, YEARS
LATER, AFTER "THE JOY OF PAINTING" SERIES TOOK OFF,
STEVE WOULD OCCASIONALLY APPEAR ON THE PROGRAM AND
EVENTUALLY BECAME A CERTIFIED ROSS INSTRUCTOR HIMSELF.
>> STEVE TRAVELS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TEACHING
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THE JOY OF PAINTING.
I'VE ASKED STEVE TO COME IN TODAY AND SHOW YOU WHAT YOU
CAN DO IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.
>> THANKS A LOT, DAD.
>> STEVE WAS INCREDIBLY TALENTED.
BOB SAID "HE TALKS BETTER THAN I DO AND PAINTS BETTER
THAN I DO."
BUT STEVE NEVER WAS SOMEONE WE COULD CONVINCE TO COME ON
AND WORK WITH THE SHOW, AND I ALWAYS REGRETTED THAT
BECAUSE I THOUGHT HE HAD ENORMOUS TALENT.
>> Reporter: BOB AND STEVE LIVED IN FLORIDA FOR SEVERAL
YEARS UNTIL THE MILITARY TRANSFERRED THEM TO ALASKA
WHEN STEVE WAS A YOUNG BOY.
>> I HAD BEEN BORN AND RAISED IN FLORIDA AND WAS 21
YEARS OLD BEFORE I EVER SAW SNOW.
>> Reporter: BOB REMARRIED AND SETTLED DOWN IN FAIRBANKS,
ALASKA, WITH HIS NEW WIFE, JANE, A CIVILIAN WORKER WITH
THE AIR FORCE.
FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, BOB WORKED MAINLY AS A
MEDICAL-RECORDS TECHNICIAN AT THE AIR BASE HOSPITAL AND
CULTIVATED HIS LOVE OF PAINTING.
HE WAS INSPIRED BY THE SNOW-CAPPED MOUNTAINS THAT
SURROUNDED HIM AND SOLD HIS PAINTINGS TO TOURISTS.
>> HE WAS A PART-TIME BARTENDER, AND HE WAS
PAINTING GOLD PANS IN ALASKA AND SELLING THEM IN THE BAR
TO MAKE MONEY.
>> Reporter: ONE DAY THE TAVERN'S TELEVISION WAS
TUNED TO A PBS STATION OF THE BOB LOOKED UP AND SAW A
PAINTING SHOW HOSTED BY A GERMAN MAN NAMED BILL ALEXANDER.
>> HOW LONG CAN YOU HOLD THE DREAM?
HOW LONG CAN YOU HAVE THE CREATIVE POWER WHEN YOU'VE
GOT ALL MIGHTY CREATIVE POWER?
>> Reporter: ALEXANDER WAS PAINTING SCENERY THAT BOB
WAS FAMILIAR WITH.
HE WAS USING A CENTURIES-OLD PAINTING METHOD CALLED ALLA
PRIMA, WHICH MEANS "DIRECT PAINTING" OR "ALL AT ONCE".
THE BASIC PREMISE IS THAT A THIN PAINT WILL STICK TO A
THICKER PAINT.
ALEXANDER CALLED IT THE "WET ON WET" TECHNIQUE.
>> YEARS AGO BILL TAUGHT ME THIS FANTASTIC TECHNIQUE,
AND I FEEL HE GAVE ME A PRECIOUS GIFT.
>> Reporter: THIS METHOD ALLOWS YOU TO LAYER COLORS
OF PAINT ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER AND BLEND THEM RIGHT
ON THE CANVAS.
TRADITIONAL OIL PAINTING REQUIRES YOU TO WAIT FOR
EACH APPLICATION TO DRY BEFORE ADDING A NEW COLOR.
BUT THE TECHNIQUE IS MORE USER FRIENDLY BECAUSE IT
ALLOWS YOU TO PAINT VERY QUICKLY.
IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, YOU JUST BLEND IT AWAY.
>> WE DON'T MAKE MISTAKES.
WE ONLY HAVE HAPPY ACCIDENTS.
>> Reporter: THIS PAINTING STYLE WAS EXACTLY WHAT BOB
WAS LOOKING FOR.
>> I REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS IN THE AIR FORCE UP IN ALASKA.
WHEN WE WENT UP THERE, HE WAS EXCITED ABOUT WATCHING
SOMEONE ON TELEVISION.
HE SAYS, "THAT'S WHAT I WANT!
I WANT TO PAINT BEFORE THE BUBBLE BURSTS!
I WANT TO GET MY PAINTING ON THE CANVAS BEFORE I LOSE MY
IDEA!"
>> ABOUT 1975, I SAW ALEXANDER ON TELEVISION, AND,
LIKE MILLIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE, I FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM.
IT TOOK ME ABOUT A YEAR TO FIND HIM.
I STUDIED WITH BILL, AND WHEN I RETIRED FROM THE
MILITARY, THEY OFFERED ME A POSITION WITH THE "MAGIC ART
COMPANY" AS A TRAVELING ART INSTRUCTOR.
>> Reporter: BOB'S WIFE JANE AND HIS SON STEVE STAYED IN
ALASKA FOR A COUPLE MORE YEARS UNTIL JANE WAS
ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT.
>> SHE ALLOWED BOB TO LEAVE ALASKA WITH A THOUSAND
DOLLARS AND TOLD HIM TO EITHER GO OUT AND MAKE HIS
FORTUNE OR COME BACK HOME.
HE PROMISED HER, "I'LL GO AND DO THIS.
IF IT DOESN'T WORK, I'LL COME BACK HOME AND DO
DOMESTIC STUFF AND BE A GOOD HUSBAND AND FATHER."
AND SO SHE STAYED IN ALASKA AND WAITED.
>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH HE WAS LEAVING THE LAND OF
SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS, THEY LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON BOB.
>> I LIVED IN ALASKA FOR FOR ABOUT A DOZEN YEARS, AND
THEY HAVE SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN SCENERY
THERE THAT I'VE EVER SEEN.
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.
>> Reporter: THAT BREATHTAKING SCENERY WOULD
SERVE AS HIS INSPIRATION FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE AND
WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME BOB'S SIGNATURE SUBJECT.
HE TOOK THAT THOUSAND DOLLARS AND SET OUT TO TRY
TO SPREAD THE JOY OF PAINTING.
BOB WAS TEACHING BILL ALEXANDER CLASSES ALL OVER
THE COUNTRY.
HE HAPPENED TO LAND ONE IN HIS NATIVE STATE OF FLORIDA.
AND THAT'S HOW HE MET ANNETTE KOWALSKI, IN ONE OF
HIS PAINTING WORKSHOPS, AND BOB'S LIFE WOULD NEVER BE
THE SAME.
>> I HAD JUST LOST A CHILD AND WAS STILL IN MOURNING.
MY HUSBAND WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO PACIFY ME AND
MAKE ME HAPPY.
SO HE SAID, "OKAY, I WILL DRIVE YOU TO FLORIDA, WHICH
IS THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN TAKE A BILL ALEXANDER CLASS."
SO I CALLED THE ALEXANDER COMPANY IN OREGON, AND THEY
SAID, "YES, WE HAVE SOME CLASSES IN FEBRUARY.
UNFORTUNATELY, BILL ALEXANDER HAS RETIRED, AND
THERE'S THIS GUY NAMED BOB ROSS WHO'S TEACHING HIS
CLASSES."
AND I WAS SO UNHAPPY.
>> Reporter: ANNETTE ENROLLED IN A SEMINAR THAT
WAS FIVE FULL DAYS OF PAINTING.
>> DURING THAT FIVE DAYS, I BECAME AWARE OF AN EFFECT
THAT BOB WAS HAVING ON THESE STUDENTS -- VERY CALMING
EFFECT, VERY QUIET.
I HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.
I WAS MESMERIZED BY HIM.
>> SHE KEPT INSISTING THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING THERE
THAT HAD TO BE PACKAGED OR BOTTLED, AND THAT'S WHAT I
WAS HEARING ALMOST EVERY SINGLE NIGHT AS WE HAD
DINNER, AND I THINK THAT WAS THE DRIVING FORCE.
>> SO THE LAST DAY THAT WE WERE IN FLORIDA, ON A FRIDAY
NIGHT, WE WENT TO A LOCAL HAMBURGER JOINT, AND WE
INVITED BOB TO JOIN US, AND HE AGREED.
AND I SAID TO BOB, "I SURE WISH YOU WOULD COME TO
WASHINGTON, D.C. AND TEACH A CLASS."
SO HE SAID, "OKAY.
OKAY, I'LL DO THAT."
>> Reporter: SO BOB QUIT WORKING FOR THE ALEXANDER
MAGIC COMPANY AND FORMED A PARTNERSHIP WITH WALT AND
ANNETTE KOWALSKI, WHO WERE LIVING IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
TEACHING THEIR OWN PAINTING CLASS SOUNDED LIKE A GOOD
IDEA, BUT GETTING PEOPLE TO ENROLL WASN'T EASY.
NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF BOB ROSS.
>> WE WOULD TRY TO GET BOB INTO A SHOPPING MALL AND
DEMONSTRATE.
IN TURN, TRY TO RECRUIT STUDENTS FOR THE CLASSES
THAT WOULD OCCUR MAYBE THREE DAYS LATER.
>> AND WE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH SUCCESS.
WE RAN EXPENSIVE NEWSPAPER ADS, AND PAYING BOB A SALARY,
AND NO STUDENTS.
>> Reporter: THEY THOUGHT MAYBE THE CLASSES WEREN'T
FILLING UP BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE WORKING DURING THE DAY.
SO BOB DECIDED TO OFFER AN EVENING CLASS.
>> ONE MAN CAME TO OUR EVENING CLASS, AND I SAID,
"BOB, WE'RE NOT GOING TO STAY HERE AND TEACH THIS ONE MAN."
AND HE SAID, "OH, YES."
AND AT THE END OF THE CLASS, THE MAN SAID, "I'M SO
IMPRESSED WITH YOU."
THE IDEA THAT BOB WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO TEACH JUST ME TO
PAINT -- I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOU A PROPOSITION.
I'M A BUSINESSMAN" -- WHICH WAS HIS WAY OF SAYING "I
HAVE A LOT OF MONEY" -- "I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER YOU A
MILLION DOLLARS," AND IN RETURN HE WANTS 40% OF WHAT
WE DO FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES.
>> Reporter: THEY TURNED DOWN THAT OFFER AND DECIDED
TO KEEP PURSUING THEIR DREAM ON THEIR OWN TERMS, TEACHING
PAINTING CLASSES IN ART STORES AND SHOPPING MALLS.
BUT THEY HAD MEAGER ATTENDANCE AND MOUNTING EXPENSES.
ONE OF THE WAYS BOB TRIED TO SAVE MONEY WAS BY GETTING
HIS STRAIGHT HAIR PERMED.
>> HE THOUGHT THAT IF HE KPO GOT HIS HAIR PERMED, HE
WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR HAIRCUTS AND HE COULD SAVE
THE $1,000 JANE HAD GIVEN HIM.
>> HE WAS THE BEST MAN IN OUR WEDDING.
ONE DAY A NUMBER OF YEARS LATER, MY KIDS WERE LOOKING
THROUGH OUR PHOTO ALBUM.
THEY KEPT SAYING, "WHO IS THIS MAN IN THESE WEDDING
PICTURES?"
I SAID, "WELL, YOU KNOW WHO THAT IS."
I SAID, "WELL THAT'S UNCLE ROBERT."
THEY SAID, "NUH-UH!"
AND I SAID, "YES, IT IS."
AND THEY SAID, "WELL, HE DON'T HAVE CURLY HAIR HERE."
AND I SAID, "THAT CAME LATER."
>> PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS BOB SAID TO
ME WAS, "IF YOU DO WHAT YOU LOVE THE MONEY WILL COME.
DON'T THINK ABOUT MONEY.
JUST DO WHAT YOU LIKE."
>> TO ME, THE FIRST STEP IN ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING IS TO
BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT.
>> Reporter: BUT THEY NEEDED A NEXT MOVE, A TURN IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION.
SO ANNETTE CALLED BILL ALEXANDER AND ASKED HIM TO
MAKE A COMMERCIAL WITH BOB PROMOTING HIS CLASSES.
>> I HAND OVER THAT AL MIGHTY BRUSH TO ALL MIGHTY MAN, BOB.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BILL.
WE'VE HAD SO MANY CARDS REQUESTING CLASSES IN THIS
AREA THAT WE'VE DECIDED TO SET ONE UP HERE, AND WE WILL
HAVE A CLASS GOING IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
WE'LL PRODUCE SOME ALL MIGHTY PAINTERS.
>> Reporter: BUT THE COMMERCIAL WASN'T RECORDED
ON A STANDARD-SIZE TAPE.
IT NEEDED TO BE CONVERTED TO A FORMAT THAT TELEVISION
STATIONS COULD AIR.
SO THEY TOOK THE COMMERCIAL TO THEIR LOCAL PUBLIC
TELEVISION STATION IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WNVC.
>> WHEN THEY SAW BOB PAINTING ON THIS TAPE, THEY
GOT VERY EXCITED AND CAME TO US AND SAID, "WOW!
THIS GUY IS WONDERFUL!
WOULD YOU AGREE TO DO A TELEVISION SERIES?"
AND WE SAID, "WOULD WE EVER!"
>> Reporter: THEY CAME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR A SHOW
CALLED "THE LOVE OF PAINTING WITH BOB ROSS"
>> HI.
I'M BOB ROSS, AND FOR THE NEXT 13 WEEKS I'LL BE YOUR
HOST AS WE EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF PAINTING.
>> Reporter: AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW, BOB
WOULD START WITH A BLANK CANVAS AND FINISH LESS THAN
A HALF HOUR LATER WITH A COMPLETED OIL PAINTING.
>> BOB TOLD ME THAT HE WENT THROUGH EVERY BRUSHSTROKE IN
HIS HEAD BH -- WHEN HE WAS IN BED AT NIGHT TO HOW HE
WOULD EXECUTE THAT PAINTING ON TV.
>> Reporter: EVERY ELEMENT OF THE SHOW WAS SHOT OUT,
FROM BOB'S STANDARD LONG-SLEEVE DRESS SHIRT AND
JEANS TO THE SOOTHING TONE OF VOICE.
>> HE SAID "ANNETTE, THESE TELEVISION PROGRAMS COULD GO
ON FOR YEARS."
LITTLE DID HE KNOW.
"I WANT TO BE SURE AND WEAR SOMETHING ON TELEVISION THAT
LOOKS AS GOOD 30 YEARS FROM NOW AS IT DOES NOW."
AND I THINK THE HAIR HE WAS A LITTLE SORRY ABOUT.
HE COULDN'T CHANGE THAT BECAUSE WE MADE A LOGO OUT OF IT.
>> HE HATED HIS HAIR, BUT IT WAS HIS TRADEMARK, AND HE
HAD TO DO IT, AND IT REALLY, REALLY BOTHERED HIM.
>> I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT IT A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND ASKED
IF HE HAD THOUGHT ABOUT CHANGING HIS HAIR, AND HE
SAID, "NO, THIS IS MY TRADEMARK."
HE HAD DECIDED THAT'S WHAT HE WOULD LIKE LIKE, AND
PEOPLE LOVED IT.
>> WHAT A SIGNATURE LOOK.
FANTASTIC.
>> Reporter: EVEN THE SIMPLICITY OF THE SET WAS NO
ACCIDENT.
>> JUST A BLACK-CURTAIN ENVIRONMENT, BOB AND HIS
EASEL, THREE CAMERAS.
I RAN THE CAMERA THAT BOB TALKED TO.
>> RICHARD HAS BEEN WITH ME SINCE THE FIRST SERIES, AND
AS YOU CAN SEE, HE FINALLY GOT SMART AND NOW WEARS A
RAINCOAT.
HE GOT TIRED OF ALL HIS CLOTHES BEING PAINTED.
>> BOB'S ORIGINAL IDEA WAS TO HAVEAN ELABORATE SET,
LIKE A TRAPPER'S LOG CABIN.
THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL INTENT.
BUT IT FINALLY DAWNED THAT BOB -- DAWNED ON BOB THAT HE
WOULD NOT CREATE THE INTIMACY WITH THE VIEWER
WITH ALL OF THAT IN THE BACKGROUND.
>> HE LIKED THE INTIMACY OF THE SMALL SPACE, AND IT
ALLOWED HIM TO FEEL THE KIND OF INTIMACY AND TO SOUND
INTIMATE AND BE INTIMATE WITH US, THE AUDIENCE.
>> HE SAID HE PRETENDS LIKE HE'S TALKING TO ONE WOMAN IN
BED.
>> I TALK TO ONLY ONE PERSON WHEN I'M FILMING, AND I'M
REALLY CRAZY ABOUT THAT PERSON.
IT'S A ONE-ON-ONE SITUATION, AND I THINK PEOPLE REALIZE
THAT.
AND THEY DO FEEL LIKE THEY KNOW ME, AND I FEEL THAT I
KNOW THEM.
>> Reporter: BOB WANTED TO PUBLIC A HOW-TO BOOK TO GO
ALONG WITH THE JOY OF PAINTING PROGRAM.
>> WNVC SAID "I'M SORRY, WE CAN'T PUBLISH THE BOOK.
IF YOU WANT A BOOK, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUBLISH IT."
AND IT WAS GOING TO COST $30,000.
SO WALT MORG AJD OUR HOUSE, AND WE PUBLISHED BOB'S FIRST
BOOK.
>> Reporter: THE BOOK HAD THE SAME STEP-BY-STEP
APPROACH OF HIS TELEVISION PROGRAM.
THEY WOULD GO ON TO PRODUCE A BOOK FOR EVERY SERIES OF
THE JOY OF PAINTING, AND BOB WOULD DEDICATE EACH ONE TO
SOMEONE MEANINGFUL IN HIS LIFE.
>> BOB GETS ALL THE CREDIT FOR THESE BOOKS.
AFTER HE FOUND A PAINTING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS, WE
WOULD THEN GO BACK HOME, AND HE WOULD RE-PAINT THAT
PAINTING, AND I WOULD STAND BEHIND BOB WITH MY CANNON 35
MILLIMETER CAMERA, AND HE WOULD MAKE ME TAKE ABOUT 50
PHOTOGRAPHS THE WHOLE TIME HE WAS PAINTING, AND THOSE
WERE THE HOW-TO PHOTOS THAT HE WANTED IN THAT BOOK.
>> Reporter: SERIES ONE AIRED ON MANY PUBLIC
TELEVISION STATIONS ON THE EAST COAST, BUT THE AUDIENCE
WAS SMALL.
>> IN THE TIME YOU SIT AROUND WORRYING ABOUT IT AND
TRYING TO PLAN A PAINTING, YOU COULD HAVE COMPLETED A
PAINTING ALREADY.
>> Reporter: AND THE QUALITY OF THE AUDIO AND VIDEO WAS
SO POOR THAT THE FIRST SERIES OF THE JOY OF
PAINTING WAS NERVE AIRED AGAIN, AND THE BOOK THAT
GOES ALONG WITH IT IS A RARE FIND.
THE PARTNERSHIP WITH WNVC DISSOLVED.
>> I THINK WE'LL CALL THAT FINISHED, AND I WANT TO
THANK YOU VERY MUCH VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING US.
I HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
>> Reporter: BOB WOULD HAVE TO LOOK FOR A NEW HOME ON
PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> Reporter: WITH SERIES ONE OF "THE JOY OF PAINTING"
UNDER HIS BELT, BOB FORGED AHEAD TEACHING PAINTING
CLASSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND LOOKING FOR A NEW
TELEVISION STATION TO PARTNER WITH.
>> OUR DREAM WAS TO MOVE THIS INLAND TO THE MIDWEST.
WALT WAS TRACKING WHERE BILL ALEXANDER'S PROGRAM WAS
POPULAR.
THOSE WERE THE CITIES THAT WE WANTED TO HIT WITH OUR
CLASSES.
PHIL DONAHUE WAS VERY BIG IN THOSE DAYS, AND HE WAS
COMING OUT OF CHICAGO.
WE WANTED TO RUN COMMERCIALS ON THE PHIL DONAHUE SHOW.
BUT WHERE WOULD WE GET A COMMERCIAL?
>> Reporter: ONCE AGAIN HE TURNED TO PUBLIC TELEVISION,
THIS TIME IN MUNCIE, INDIANA, JUST ACROSS THE STATE LINE
FROM CHICAGO.
>> IN 1981, FUNDING FOR PUBLIC TELEVISION GOT REALLY
BAD, AND A COMMITTEE WAS FORMED IN CONGRESS CALLED
"THE TEMPORARY COMMITTEE FOR ALTERNATE FUNDING."
WE CALLED IT TCAF.
OUT OF THAT COMMITTEE, THERE BECAME LEGISLATION THAT
ALLOWED FOR 10 PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS TO
ACTUALLY SELL COMMERCIALS.
WIPB WAS ONE OF THOSE STATIONS.
I WAS SITTING IN MY OFFICE, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE THE
UPSTAIRS BEDROOM OF THIS TELEVISION STUDIO, WHICH WAS
AN OLD HOUSE.
I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW, AND THIS VW BUS PULLS IN THE
DRIVEWAY.
AND WE'RE THINKING OKAY.
AND THIS BUSHY-HAIRED MAN GETS OUT, AND A LADY WITH
HIM, AND THEY COME WALKING UP TO THE DOOR.
"WELL, HI.
MY NAME'S BOB ROSS, AND WE'RE DOING A DEMONSTRATION
AND SOME CLASSES AT YOUR MALL DOWN THE STREET AND
WERE WONDERING IF YOU COULD GIVE ANY PUBLICITY TO US."
AND I LOOKED AT OUR PRODUCTION MANAGER AND SAID,
"HAVE WE GOT A DEAL FOR YOU!"
>> Reporter: WIPB PRODUCED A COMMERCIAL PROMOTING BOB'S
PAINTING CLASSES AND AIRED IT BEFORE AND AFTER BILL
ALEXANDER A'S PROGRAM.
WALT AND ANNETTE ALSO BOUGHT AIR TIME ON THE PHIL DONAHUE
SHOW.
ALL THAT ADVERTISING PAID OFF.
THE CLASS WAS SUCH A SUCCESS THAT BOB THOUGHT ABOUT
MAKING WIPB THE PERMANENT HOME OF "THE JOY OF
PAINTING" SO HE WENT TO SEE THE GENERAL MANAGER.
>> HE ASKED ME TO GO TO LUNCH WITH HIM.
HE SAID, "HOW ABOUT MAKING A PAINTING SERIES?"
>> WE DID THE FIRST ONE, AND HE MADE A PAINTING IN
BASICALLY 26 MINUTES AND 46 SECONDS, AND WE SAID, "WELL,
MY GOODNESS, HOW MANY OF THESE CAN YOU DO?"
AND HE SAYS, "HOW MANY DO YOU WANT TO DO?"
I SAID, "WELL, YOU REALIZE WE COULD DO 13, AND WE WOULD
HAVE A SERIES."
SO BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IN, LIKE, A THREE-DAY PERIOD, WE
KNOCKED OUT 13 PROGRAMS.
>> Reporter: THE NEXT STEP WAS TO GET "THE JOY OF
PAINTING" PICKED UP AROUND THE COUNTRY.
THEY SUBMITTED THE SERIES TO A NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR TO
SEE IF THERE WAS ENOUGH INTEREST FROM OTHER STATIONS
TO CARRY THE PROGRAM.
>> IT WENT FOR A VOTE, AND PEOPLE LOVED IT AND SAID,
"WE'LL TAKE IT."
>> I HAND OVER NOW THAT ALMIGHTY BRUSH TO ALMIGHTY
MAN, AND THAT IS BOB ROSS.
I CONGRATULATE YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BILL.
WE LOOK RWARD TO SEEING YOU RIGHT HERE ON THIS
CHANNEL FOR THE JOY OF PAINTING EACH WEEK.
>> Reporter: NOW WITH A NATIONAL AUDIENCE, BOB WAS
ON THE HOOK TO PRODUCE A NEW PROGRAM SERIES EVERY QUARTER.
THE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE WAS GRUELLING.
>> WE DID THE WHOLE 13 PROGRAMS THAT WOULD BE IN A
TYPICAL QUARTER IN ONE WEEK HERE AT WIPB.
BOB WOULD SHOW UP ON SUNDAYS, AND HE WOULD PLACE THE
PAINTINGS AROUND THE STUDIO IN WHICH WE'RE SITTING RIGHT
NOW, AND HE WOULD PICK OUT THE ORDER IN WHICH HE WAS
GOING TO PRODUCE THEM.
WE WOULD DO THE OPENS AND CLOSES OF THE SHOWS, ALL OF
THEM, ON MONDAY, AND THEN WE WOULD DO PROBABLY TWO OR
THREE PROGRAMS ON MONDAY.
ON TUESDAY WE USUALLY DID EIGHT OR NINE.
WEDNESDAY WE WOULD DO WHAT WAS LEFT.
LOOK AT THEM ON THURSDAY, AND IF WE HAD TO, WE DID RETAKES.
>> THE SHOW WAS GENERALLY SHOT STRAIGHT THROUGH, LIVE
TO TAPE.
OCCASIONALLY IF THERE WAS A TECHNICAL PROBLEM OR
SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THEY WOULD GO BACK AND DO AN EDIT.
BUT HE WAS PRODUCING THOSE PAINTINGS AS YOU SAW IT ON
TELEVISION.
>> HE WAS VERY PROUD OF THAT, AND THERE WAS NO TRICKERY
GOING ON.
AND I SHOULD MENTION THAT THOSE PAINTINGS WERE NOT ALL
THAT SPONTANEOUS.
THERE WAS ALWAYS A FINISHED PAINTING HANGING OFF CAMERA
THAT BOB WAS REFERRING TO.
>> TELL YOU WHAT.
LET'S GET CRAZY TODAY.
>> AND HE WOULD SAY ALL THESE FUNNY THINGS LIKE
"LET'S GET CRAZY!"
HE KNEW WHERE HE WAS GOING, BUT HE WAS TAKING YOU ON
THAT RIDE WITH HIM.
HE WAS KEEPING YOU ENTERTAINED AND PAINTING ALL
AT AT THE SAME TIME.
>> BOB INSISTED THAT NOBODY EVER SEE THE FINISHED
PAINTING BECAUSE SOMETIMES HE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO DO
EVERYTHING THAT WAS IN THE PAINTING.
HE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE OUT A BIG TREE OR A BUSH OR A BOAT.
>> Reporter: BUT THERE IS ONE EXCEPTION TO BOB'S
THOUGHTFUL PLANNING: HE DID A SERIES TWO COMPLETELY OFF
THE TOP OF HIS HEAD.
>> ONE NIGHT SOMEBODY BROKE INTO OUR MOTOR HOME TWO DAYS
BEFORE WE WERE TO START TAPING AND STOLE ALL 13 OF
THE REFERENCE PAINTINGS.
THAT WAS THE MOST SPONTANEOUS SERIES THAT BOB EVER DID.
>> Reporter: THIS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH PBS IN
MUNCIE, INDIANA, WAS THE RIGHT MOVE FOR BOB.
HE WOULD GO ON TO PRODUCE THE REMAINING 30 SERIES OF
"THE JOY OF PAINTING" THERE.
THAT'S ALMOST 400 EPISODES.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF SUPER PEOPLE THAT PUT A LOT OF
WORK INTO MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
IT'S NOT DONE JUST BY COMING UP HERE AND PAINTING A
LITTLE PICTURE.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE IN THE STUDIO THAT WORK VERY
HARD TO BRING A NICE PRODUCTION.
THEY DO A REALLY GOOD JOB.
>> IT WAS ALWAYS FUN TO WORK WITH BOB.
>> BOB HAD A WONDERFUL SENSE OF HUMOR, AND SO OUR DAYS
WERE SPENT MORE OR LESS TELLING JOKES AND GOOFING OFF.
THEN WHEN IT CAME TIME TO BE SERIOUS AND DO THE SHOW,
THEN THE BOB THAT YOU SEE ON THE SHOW IS THE BOB THAT ALL
KNEW EVEN BEHIND THE SCENES.
>> Reporter: AND WHEN THE WORK WAS DONE, BOB AND SOME
OF THE WIPB TEAM WOULD SCOUR LOCAL ANTIQUE SHOPS FOR
FORGOTTEN TREASURES.
BY 1984, "THE JOY OF PAINTING" COULD BE SEEN IN
MOST PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
BUT SOME STATIONS STILL WEREN'T CARRYING THE PROGRAM.
WHILE BOB WAS TEACHING CLASSES IN UPSTATE NEW YORK,
HE GAVE EVERY ONE OF HIS STUDENTS THE HOME PHONE
NUMBER OF THE LOCAL PBS STATION MANAGER TO CONVINCE
HIM TO CARRY BOB'S SHOW.
>> GIVE YOUR STATION A CALL.
LET THEM KNOW.
LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE.
AND WHEN THEY NEED SOME HELP, GIVE THEM A HAND.
>> Reporter: BOB'S WIFE JANE CAME DOWN FROM ALASKA TO
WORK WITH WALT ON THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS.
>> JANE WAS VERY MUCH INVOLVED.
SHE DID THE SECRETARIAL WORK AND THE OFFICE WORK.
>> WE WERE FOREVER SUPPLYING BOB AND ANNETTE WHEN THEY
WERE ON THE ROAD TEACHING CLASSES, AND THAT'S WHEN WE
WERE IN THE BASEMENT OF OUR HOME.
>> I WAS IN COLLEGE WHEN THEY STARTED THIS, YOU KNOW,
CRAZY THING, AND CAME HOME ONE DAY FOR THANKSGIVING OR
SOMETHING, AND THE HOUSE WAS JUST TRANSFORMED.
IT WAS NO LONGER HOME; IT WAS LIKE A WAREHOUSE AND A
SHIPPING DOCK.
>> Reporter: AT THIS POINT BOB AND ANNETTE WERE ON THE
ROAD, TEACHING PAINTING CLASSES NEARLY NONSTOP.
>> AS ANNETTE AND I HAVE TRAVELED AROUND THE COUNTRY
TEACHING PEOPLE, WE HAVE MADE SO MANY FANTASTIC
FRIENDS THAT HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR SO LONG NOW, AND THAT
MIGHT TRULY BE THE JOY OF PAINTING, IS THE FRIENDS
THAT YOU MAKE DOING IT.
>> Reporter: BUT ALL THAT TRAVEL WAS NECESSARY FOR THE
SAKE OF THE BUSINESS.
BECAUSE TEACHING PAINTING CLASSES WAS AT THE CORE OF
WHAT THEY DID.
>> I THINK WE ALL HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SPOUSES.
ALL OF US DID.
BUT JANE ALLOWED BOB TO GO OUT AND DO WHAT HE WANTED TO DO.
>> MY WIFE JANE -- SHE'S STOOD BEHIND US AND KEPT
THIS THING GOING.
AND IT TAKES A SPECIAL LADY TO LIVE WITH A CRAZY MAN.
>> IT WASN'T FUN FOR THEM, IT WASN'T NECESSARILY A LOT
OF FUN FOR US, BUT THE ENCOURAGEMENT WAS THERE FROM
JANE, AND CERTAINLY I WAS WENT TO ALL LENGTHS TO
SATISFY MY WIFE AS WELL.
>> THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW CALLED AND ASKED IF BOB
WOULD AGREE TO APPEAR.
AND I SAID, "OH, YES.
SHOULD I BRING THE EASEL AND THE CANVASES AND PAINT?"
THEY SAID "PAINT?
NO.
WE'RE JUST LOOKING FOR COUPLES THAT ARE IN BUSINESS
TOGETHER BUT DON'T LIVE TOGETHER."
>> Reporter: WITHOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAINT, BOB
TURNED DOWN A GUEST APPEARANCE ON THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW.
>> TO BOB, IT WAS ALL ABOUT PAINTING.
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT PAINTING WITH BOB.
>> Reporter: BUT THE STRESS OF TURNING THIS DREAM INTO
REALITY WORE ON THEM, AND MANY TIMES ANNETTE, WALT, OR
JANE TALKED ABOUT THROWING IN THE TOWEL.
>> FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NEVER A CONSENSUS.
NOT ALL FOUR OF US AGREED AT THE SAME TIME, SO WE JUST
WENT ON.
THIS WOULD SHIFT.
THOSE WHO OBJECTED OR WANTED TO QUIT WOULD SWITCH OVER.
>> Reporter: BUT BOB'S PERSISTENCE KEPT THEM ALL GOING.
>> HE NEVER WANTED TO QUIT.
>> NO.
>> AND I WAS THE ONE WHO MOST WANTED OUT.
>> Reporter: HIS COMPLETE DEDICATION TO PAINTING AND
TEACHING OTHERS TO PAINT WAS THE DRIVING FORCE.
WHAT ULTIMATELY LED TO BOB'S UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS
HOSTING A PAINTING PROGRAM WAS HIS UNWAVERING BELIEF
THAT ANYONE COULD LEARN TO PAINT.
>> YOU OFTEN HEAR THAT TO BE AN ARTIST YOU HAVE TO BE
BLESSED WITH YOUR OWN TALENT.
I THINK BOB SORT OF REVERSED THAT NOTION: ANYBODY CAN
PAINT.
HE SAID IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT OF PRACTICE, AND ANYBODY
CAN PAINT.
>> JUST RECENTLY I WAS DOING A DEMONSTRATION IN A MALL,
AND A MAN CAME TO ME AND SAID, "BOB, I CAN NEVER
PAINT BECAUSE I'M COLORBLIND.
ALL I CAN SEE IS GREY TONES."
SO I THOUGHT TODAY WE WILL DO A PICTURE IN GREY JUST TO
SHOW YOU THAT ANYONE CAN PAINT.
>> THAT'S THE MIRACLE OF BOB ROSS.
HE WOULD START SIMPLY AND LAYER AND LAYER.
ANYONE CAN DO IT.
>> Reporter: THAT WAS PART OF THE MAGIC -- BOB'S
UNYIELDING ENCOURAGEMENT.
>> I REMEMBER PUTTING MY KNIFE UP FOR THE FIRST TIME
AND JUST SHAKING.
FROM WHERE I CAME FROM WITH ABSOLUTELY NO BACKGROUND IN
ART, NOT KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT BRUSHES, PAINTS,
CANVASES -- I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING.
AND I ACTUALLY SAT DOWN IN FRONT OF A CANVAS AND DID
SOMETHING.
I WAS AMAZED AT WHAT I COULD DO.
>> IT'S BROUGHT PAINTING TO THE -- OR THE ABILITY TO
CREATE SOMETHING -- TO THE AVERAGE PERSON, AND, YOU
KNOW, THEY KNOW THEY'RE NEVER GOING TO BE A FAMOUS
ARTIST, I THINK, P MAYBE THEY WILL BE, BUT WHEN THEY
SIT DOWN, THEY JUST GET INTO THEIR OWN WORLD.
AND IT'S A NICE PLACE TO GET.
>> Reporter: BOB NURTURED THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS
VIEWERS, AND FOR MANY PEOPLE PAINTING GIVES THEM A
FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.
AND THAT'S PART OF THE JOY THAT BOB WAS TRYING TO SPREAD.
>> THERE IS JOY IN THAT, IN PAINTING AND CREATING
SOMETHING AND BEING PROUD OF IT.
AND YOU CAN SEE THE LOOKS ON PEOPLE'S FACES WHEN THEY'RE
PROUD OF THEIR PAINTING.
IT'S LIKE THEY JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THEY DID THAT.
>> YOU FEEL SO IMPORTANT WHEN YOU'RE DOING THAT.
WHEN YOU'RE PUTTING THAT PAINT ON THAT CANVAS, YOU
ARE DOING SOMETHING THAT UP UNTIL THAT MOMENT WAS IN A
COUPLE OF TUBES AND A BLANK CANVAS SITTING THERE.
IT WASN'T DOING ANYTHING FOR ANYONE, AND YOU'RE TAKING
THOSE EXACT THINGS, AND WITH A LITTLE BIT OF ENERGY IT,
YOU'VE TAKEN THIS AND MADE IT INTO A CREATIVE AND
WONDERFUL THING.
>> Reporter: BUT THE FACT THAT A FIRST-TIMER CAN
ACHIEVE IMMEDIATE SUCCESS USING THE WET-ON-WET
TECHNIQUE IS PART OF THE CRITICISM.
TRADITIONAL ARTISTS CHAZ TIES THE METHOD IS BEING
OVERLY SIMPLISTIC.
AND SOME SAY HIS LANDSCAPES USE COLOR COMBINATIONS NOT
FOUND IN THE NATURAL WORLD.
>> MOST PEOPLE THINK THAT ART IS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY
COMPLICATEED, THAT YOU HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL FOR A
HUNDRED YEARS TO LEARN, AND WE TRY TO TEACH THEM THAT
YOU CAN DO A VERY GOOD PAINTING WITH VERY LITTLE
INSTRUCTION, A LOT OF HAPPINESS, AND TEACH THEM
HOW TO CREATE.
>> PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE THAT HE HAD ANY REAL TALENT, THAT
HE JUST PUT PAINT ON A CANVAS.
IN ACTUALITY, HE DOES EVERYTHING THAT TRADITIONAL
ARTISTS DO.
HE JUST DOESN'T TALK ABOUT IT.
HE DOESN'T SAY -- HE DOESN'T USE THE WORD "PERSPECTIVE;"
HE WILL SAY "MAKE THE COLOR LIGHT IN THE DISTANCE."
>> I THINK THE HARDEST PART WITH PAINTING IS KNOWING THE
BALANCE, YOU KNOW, WHERE IS THE FOREGROUND AND THE
BACKGROUND AND NOT PUTTING THINGS IN THE MIDDLE -- AND,
OF COURSE, WHEN YOU WATCH WHAT HE DOES AS A
PROFESSIONAL, YOU REALIZE THAT HE DOES ALL OF THAT FOR YOU.
>> Reporter: BOB NEVER LET THE CRITICS GET TO HIM,
BECAUSE IT WAS NOT HIS GOAL TO BE REGARDED AS A GREAT
ARTIST, OR EVEN TO TEACH OTHERS TO BE.
>> YOU SAY OUT LOUD YOUR WORK WILL NEVER HANG IN A MUSEUM.
BOB!
>> WELL, MAYBE IT WILL.
BUT PROBABLY NOT THE SMITHSONIAN.
>> BUT WHY, BOB?
WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE?
>> IT'S NOT TRADITIONAL ART, IT'S NOT FINE ART, AND I
DON'T TRY TO TELL ANYBODY IT IS.
>> Reporter: HIS GOAL WAS TO GET PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE THE
JOY OF PAINTING, AND HE DID THAT BY REMOVING THE FEAR OF
FAILURE.
>> I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE MAIN INGREDIENT OF BOB'S
TECHNIQUE, THAT HE DISMISSED THAT SORT OF FEAR OF
BEGINNING.
>> I THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, AND YOU
NEED THE CONFIDENCE, BELIEF, TO CARRY ON SFLA I WOULD SAY
HE HAS DONE MORE FOR ART THAT ANYONE IN THE HISTORY OF ART.
HE'S GOTTEN MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED JUST BECAUSE OF HIS
NATURE, AND HE TOLD THEM THEY COULD DO IT, AND THEY CAN.
>> Reporter: BOB EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED THOSE
CRITICISMS IN A SPOOF HE DID AS AN HBO FILLER TO RUN
BETWEEN MOVIES.
BOB INTERRUPTS A FORMAL ART CLASS WHEN HE COMES TO PAINT
THE HOUSE.
WHEN THE CLASS TAKES A BREAK, BOB GIVES IT A TRY USING HIS
OWN TOOLS.
¶ ¶
>> Reporter: WITH EACH SERIES OF "THE JOY OF
PAINTING", BOB'S FAMILIAR IMAGE AND SOOTHING VOICE
FILLED MORE AND MORE HOMES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>> I THINK OUR FIRST SERIES, WE MANAGED 50 STATIONS
AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND PROBABLY FOR THE NEXT TWO OR
THREE YEARS, WE DIDN'T RISE MUCH BEYOND 75 OF THE PUBLIC
CHANNELS, AND THEN SORT OF EXPONENTIALLY WE WENT TO 300.
>> IT'S ON ALMOST EVERY STATION IN THE COUNTRY STILL.
IT'S, LIKE, 95% OF STATIONS, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST OF ANY
OF THE ART PROGRAMS.
>> Reporter: BUT MOST PEOPLE WHO WATCH "THE JOY OF
PAINTING" ARE JUST WATCHING.
THE BOB ROSS COMPANY ESTIMATES THAT ONLY AROUND
3% OF THE SHOW'S AUDIENCE ACTUALLY PAINTS ALONG WITH HIM.
>> MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WATCH HIM ALL OVER
THE WORLD, AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE ACTUALLY PAINT.
THEY WATCH HIM BECAUSE THEY JUST ENJOY HIM.
>> I HEAR PEOPLE TO THIS DAY SAY, "YOU KNOW, I WATCHED
THAT JUST SO THAT I COULD HEAR HIS VOICE."
MY METHOD OF VIEWING BOB ROSS WAS TURN ON THE TV AND
WATCH AND LISTEN AND JUST BE CAPTIVATED.
I COULDN'T POSSIBLY LIFT A BRUSH WHILE BOB ROSS WAS
TALKING OR WORKING, BECAUSE YOU JUST GET SO SUCKED INTO
WHAT HE'S DOING.
AND IT WAS AMAZING BECAUSE HIS SUBJECT MATTER DIDN'T
VARY TOO MUCH, BUT IT NEVER GOT OLD, NEVER CEASED TO
AMAZE ME.
>> EVERY DAY I WOULD JUST COME HOME FROM SCHOOL AND
REALLY UNWIND WHILE I WOULD WATCH HIS SHOW.
HE'S SEMI ENCHANTING.
HE REALLY PUTS A GOOD FEELING INTO MY HEART.
FANTASTIC.
>> Reporter: THE SECRET TO BOB'S SUCCESS WAS BOB HIMSELF.
HIS WARMTH AND GENTLENESS WERE SINCERE, BUT ONCE HE
GOT IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, HE WAS WELL AWARE THAT HIS
PERSONALITY WAS PART OF THE SHOW.
>> HIS MANNER -- HE JUST SEEMED LIKE THE HAPPIEST GUY
IN THE WORLD.
I THINK THAT, FOR ME, WAS VERY POWERFUL, SEEING HIM
AND HIS HAPPINESS.
THE THING THAT HE USED TO SAY, THE WAY HE WOULD ALWAYS
TALK ABOUT THE WORLD -- YOU CAN SEE THE WAY HE SAW THE
WORLD.
>> YOU JUST GET SWEPT OFF INTO THIS MAGICAL WORLD
WHERE YOU'RE TAKEN OUT OF THE PRESENT MOMENT AND
YOU'RE TAKEN INTO, YOU KNOW, A FANTASY REALITY.
AND, YES, IT'S HIS, BUT IT CAN BECOME YOUR OWN.
>> YOU CAN MAKE UP STORIES BECAUSE THIS IS YOUR WORLD,
AND IN YOUR WORLD, YOU CAN HAVE ANY FANTASY THAT YOU WANT.
>> Reporter: BOB CULTIVATED A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS
VIEWERS BY ENGAGING THEM IN A ONE-SIDED CONVERSATION.
>> IF YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT "JOY OF PAINTING" WAS, IT'S
TV DEATH; RIGHT?
IT'S A DUDE SPEAKING SOFTLY AND PAINTING A PICTURE.
BUT IT'S ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED SHOWS EVER.
>> THE INSTINCT WHEN YOU GO ON TELEVISION AND SEE THAT
RED LIGHT GO ON IS BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, ENTERTAIN THE PEOPLE.
THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO ME IS A MOMENT OF
SILENCE.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN COMES ALONG BOB ROSS WHO'S GOING
TO PUT A LITTLE WHITE CLOUD HERE, AND I REMEMBER
THINKING, "HOW DOES THIS GUY GET A SHOW?"
>> Reporter: AND ALTHOUGH BOB WAS SPEAKING SLOWLY AND
CALMLY, HE WAS PAINTING RAPIDLY.
>> YOU KNOW, BOB ROSS, FOR AS MILD AS HE WAS, HE
PAINTED LIKE A BULLDOG.
I MEAN, HE REALLY GOT IN THERE -- I MEAN, HE WORKED
THAT CANVAS.
HE WORKED THAT PAINT.
HE EXPECTED A LOT OUT OF HIS MATERIALS, AND HE GOT IT.
>> YOU KNOW, THERE'S THINGS YOU PICK UP WATCHING HIM,
LIKE THE WAY TO DO A PINE TREE WITH A FAN BRUSH WHERE
YOU GO STRAIGHT UP, GET THE LITTLE TRUNK, THEN DO THE
LITTLE PIECES ALL THE WAY DOWN WITH THE FAN BRUSH, AND
IT'S SO FAST.
AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW AND HE TAKES A BRUSH AND
DOES A COUPLE OF SWIRLS WITH GRAY AND BLACK AND WHITE,
AND THEY'RE ROCKS.
IT WAS SO QUICK, WHAT HE WAS DOING, AND IT'S FASCINATING
TO WATCH.
>> Reporter: BOB HAD A PASSION FOR LIFE.
>> AND OF COURSE HE HAD A CORVETTE, AND HE LOVED THAT
CORVETTE.
>> Reporter: AND A PASSION FOR WILDLIFE.
HE WAS KNOWN FOR HAVING SMALL ANIMALS, OR "CRITTERS",
AS HE LIKED TO CALL THEM, ON HIS SHOW.
>> THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING WE WERE HAPPY ABOUT OR
ENCOURAGED, BUT WE ALLOWED HIM TO DO IT BECAUSE BOB WAS
BOB.
>> WE HAD LOTS OF CREATURES ON THE SHOW.
SQUIRRELS, OF COURSE, BECAME HIS TRADEMARK.
HE REALLY LOVED SQUIRRELS.
AND HE HAD PEAPOD.
>> THAT ONE BECAME FAMOUS.
PEAPOD LIVED IN HIS HOUSE WITH HIM FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS.
FINALLY HE SAID, "YOU KNOW, HE REALLY NEEDS TO BE OUT IN
THE WILD."
SO HE RELEASED HIM.
>> Reporter: BOB WAS COMMITTED TO REHABILITATING
INJURED OR ORPHANED ANIMALS, AND HE WOULD BUILD ELABORATE
CAGES FOR THEM.
>> I LIVED A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM HIM.
EVERY NOW AND THEN HE WOULD SAY "OH, I MADE YOU A CAGE
TODAY" AND HE WOULD HAVE MADE ME ONE OF THESE
ENORMOUS WIRE CAGES, AND THEY WOULD LIFE SAVERS.
THEY HELPED ME SO MUCH.
>> Reporter: BOB RENTED AN APARTMENT IN MUNCIE NEAR THE
TELEVISION STUDIO.
IT HAD A LAKE RIGHT OUT THE BACK DOOR FILLED WITH FISH,
AND BOB WOULD FEED THEM EVERY DAY.
>> BOB HAD A HEART ATTACK WHILE WE WERE IN MUNCIE, AND
HE WAS BEDRIDDEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
AND HE WORRIED ABOUT THOSE FISH.
I STAYED IN MUNCIE WITH HIM WHILE HE WAS SICK.
SO HE SAID, "ANNETTE, YOU HAVE TO GO BUY THE BREAD AND
FEED THE FISH."
>> Reporter: BUT EVEN WHEN HE WASN'T FEELING WELL, BOB
ALWAYS TRIED TO STAY POSITIVE.
>> HE WAS ALWAYS UP.
I MEAN, HE WAS A PERSON THAT -- AND I KNOW HE HAD BAD DAYS.
HE USED TO HAVE TERRIBLE HEADACHES, AND I KNOW THAT,
YOU KNOW, HE WOULD HAVE BAD DAYS, BUT YOU WOULD NOT KNOW
IT IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW BOB ROSS.
>> Reporter: HE ROSE TO STARDOM ON THE WINGS OF
PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND HE WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO THE
SYSTEM THAT HAD GIVEN HIM SO MUCH.
>> MOST OF THESE PAINTINGS ARE DONATED TO PBS STATIONS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THEY AUCTION THEM OFF, MAKE A HAPPY BUCK WITH THEM.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ONE, GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR
PBS STATION.
>> YOU KNOW NBC OR ABC GETS A THOUSAND PHONE CALLS ABOUT
A PROGRAM, AND THEY YAWN AND SAY OKAY, WE WILL NOTE THAT.
PBS GETS A HALF DOZEN PHONE CALLS FROM YOU WITH A PLEDGE
ESPECIALLY, AND THEY SHUT DOWN AND HAVE A PARTY.
>> I WILL NEVER FORGET AN AUCTION ONE TIME.
HE WAS PAINTING A PAINTING LIVE.
WE SOLD IT, AND THE PERSON THAT BOUGHT IT SAID "I'M
COMING IN.
SHE HAD A WALKER.
SHE HAD DRIVEN FOR AN HOUR TO GET THERE.
SHE STARTED CRYING AND SAID, "YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE TOO
MANY GOOD DAYS ANYMORE.
BUT WHEN I WATCH YOUR SHOW, IT'S THE BEST PART OF THE DAY.
AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
THAT'S WHY I HAD TO HAVE YOUR PAINTING."
BOB THANKED HER AND GAVE HER A DID HUG AND SAID, "THAT'S
WHY I DO THIS."
>> Reporter: BUT AT THIS POINT THE MAIN SOURCE OF
BOB'S INCOME CAME FROM TEACHING PAINTING CLASSES
AND SELLING INSTRUCTION BOOKS.
THEN, A HAPPY ACCIDENT.
THE ALEXANDER COMPANY CALLED AND SAID THEY COULDN'T
PRODUCE ENOUGH PAINT TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWING DEMAND
AND SUGGESTED THAT BOB START HIS OWN LINE OF PRODUCTS.
AS HIS PRODUCTS HIT THE COMMERCIAL SHELVES, SO DID
HIS IMAGE, ESTABLISHING HIS BRAND IN THE COMMERCIAL ART
WORLD.
NOW BOB COULD FOCUS ON GROWING HIS BUSINESS, AND
THAT MEANT TRAINING SOME INSTRUCTORS TO GO OUT AND
TEACH THE METHOD AND THE MESSAGE OF "THE JOY OF PAINTING."
>> Reporter: AS THE DEMAND FOR MORE TELEVISION EPISODES
PLUS MORE PAINTING CLASSES BOTH STEADILY INCREASED, BOB
BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT HE WOULDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO
DEVOTE TO BOTH.
IN 1987, HE CREATED THE FIRST TEAM OF BOB ROSS INSTRUCTORS.
THESE STUDENTS WOULD GO OUT AND TEACH IN BOB'S PLACE.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AS WE
TRAVEL AROUND AND TEACH THIS ALMIGHTY METHOD, IS WE'RE
TRYING TO GATHER UP AN ARMY OF TEACHERS.
SOON WE'LL HAVE TEACHERS THAT TRAVEL THIS ENTIRE,
BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, TEACHING THIS FANTASTIC METHOD OF
PAINTING.
>> Reporter: SEMINARS AND DEMONSTRATIONS GAVE WAY TO
GUEST APPEARANCES IN BIG CITIES.
WHEN HE RELEASED HIS FIRST HARD-COVER BOOK IN 199, BOB
HI THE TALK-SHOW CIRCUIT.
>> MY NEXT GUEST HAS BEEN CREATING HIS MAGIC FOR THE
PAST 10 YEARS ON HIS OWN SHOW "THE JOY OF PAINTING",
WHICH I WATCH ALL THE TIME.
HE IS THE AUTHOR OF SEVERAL BOOKS ON THE SUBJECT.
HIS LATEST IS CALLED "THE BEST OF THE JOY OF PAINTING."
PLEASE WELCOME AMERICA'S FAVORITE ART INSTRUCTOR, BOB ROSS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> WHY ARE YOU SO POPULAR?
MOST PEOPLE CAN'T PAINT, YET I'M FASCINATED.
I SIT AND WATCH YOU PAINT.
>> I THINK BECAUSE MAGIC REALLY DOES HAPPEN IN 30 MINUTES.
AND THERE IS NO EDITING TO THESE SHOWS.
WHAT HAPPENS REALLY HAPPENS.
>> WHAT IS THE EASIEST THING TO PAINT?
>> PROBABLY JUST A LITTLE LANDSCAPE, BECAUSE NOBODY
KNOWS IF A TREE IS INCORRECT.
IF YOU PUT THREE EYES ON THERE, EITHER YOU'RE PICASSO
OR SOMETHING'S WRONG.
>> IT'S VERY FUNNY.
YOU WOULD THINK THAT BOB WOULD PULL UP IN SOME BIG
LIMOUSINE AND I -- AND HE WOULD JUMP OUT AND THE
PAPARAZZI WOULD BE CLIPPERING, BUT IN FACT WE
WERE DRAGGING EASELS, AND WE WERE JUST A BUNCH OF COUNTRY
FOLK IN THE BIG CITY.
>> Reporter: HE WAS ALSO INVITED TO BE A CELEBRITY
GUEST AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY.
BOB WAS A BIG FAN OF COUNTRY MUSIC, AND HIS FRIEND HANK
SNOW BROUGHT HIM UP ON STAGE.
>> WHEN THEY INTRODUCED HIM, THE CROWD JUST WENT NUTS.
HE WAS NERVOUS, AND HE CRACKED A JOKE, AND
EVERYBODY LAUGHED AND CHEERED, AND HE WAS ON HIS WAY.
IT WAS REALLY COOL TO HAVE ALL THESE COUNTRY MUSIC
STARS COME UP TO BOB AND SAY "YOU'RE MY FAVORITE.
I WATCH YOU ALL THE TIME AND PAINT WITH YOU."
>> YOU'RE DOING AL MIGHTING PAINTINGS HERE.
>> Reporter: BY THE EARLY 90s, NEARLY 300 EPISODES
WERE ON THE AIR IN THE U.S.
AND CAN DA. SOON TRANSLATIONS STARTED
CROPPING UP IN MEXICO, COSTA RICA, COLUMBIA, THE UNITED
KINGDOM, THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND,
AUSTRIA, TURKEY, IRAN, SOUTH KOREA, AND JAPAN.
>> WHEN IT WAS ON IN JAPAN, THEY SAID, "NO, TAKE THE
SOUNDTRACK BACK UP.
WE'VE GOT TO HEAR HIS VOICE."
I THINK HIS SINCERITY CAME ACROSS EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T
UNDERSTAND THE WORDS.
>> Reporter: BY NOW BOB WAS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST
STARS IN THE HISTORY OF PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND HOST
OF THE MOST POPULAR ART SHOW OF ALL TIME.
>> IT'S JUST -- WOW!
THIS GUY HAS GOT IT!
AND THAT'S KIND OF THE WAY IT WAS.
BUT HE DIDN'T LET IT GO TO HIS HEAD.
NOT AT ALL.
>> I MEAN, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW THAT HE HAD THIS
PROGRAM THAT CLEARLY HAD THE ATTENTION NATIONALLY OF
PEOPLE, BECAUSE HE WAS JUST KIND OF UNDER THE RADAR.
>> Reporter: WHEN HIS SECOND HARD-COVER BOOK CAME OUT,
BOB WAS ONCE AGAIN CALLED UP TO THE NETWORKS.
>> BOB IS LOOKING AT US, AND HE'S PAINTING A MOUNTAIN.
>> HE'S FAMOUS FOR HIS LANDSCAPES.
HE SAYS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HARBOR A DESIRE TO PAINT,
AND I THINK HE'S RIGHT.
>> I HAVE -- THERE'S HIS BOOK, AND I HAVE NO --
>> ARTISTIC TALENT AT ALL?
>> ABSOLUTELY NONE.
>> TELL YOU WHAT.
IF I CAN GET YOU TO PICK UP YOUR PALLETTE.
YOU LOOK GOOD.
>> OKAY.
>> THIS IS THE FUN PA.
WE'RE GOING TO PAINT A HAPPY TREE RIGHT HERE.
>> LOOK WHAT I'M DOING HERE!
I'M PAINTING!
>> ALL RIGHT!
>> Reporter: BOB ROSE TO THE STATUS OF POP-CULTURE ICON
WITH A SERIES OF PROMOTIONAL SPOTS FOR MTV.
>> I DO LOVE TO PAINT TREES.
YOU CAN MAKE IT WIGGLY.
THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT.
IT'S ALL JUST FLUFFY WHITE CLOUDS.
>> Reporter: AND A TONGUE-IN-CHEEK COMMERCIAL
FOR HAIR-CARE PRODUCTS.
>> SUBTLE COLOR.
>> AND THERE'S NO AMMONIA OR PROX I'D.
>> IF YOU REACH THAT STATURE, IT MEANS SOMETHING, WHEN
YOU'RE ON SPOOFZ ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.
HE HAD A REPUTATION OF BEING A VISIBLE ICON.
>> Reporter: BUT BOB LEARNED JUST HOW POPULAR HE WAS
WHILE DEMONSTRATING HIS PRODUCTS ON QVC.
WHEN HE GOT OFF THE AIR, A PRODUCER WALKED UP TO BOB
AND HANDED HIM A PHONE.
>> HE SAID IT WAS MARLON BRANDO.
BOB'S JAW DROPPED.
MARLON BRANDO WANTS TO TALK TO ME?
IT WAS PHENOMENAL.
THAT'S THE KIND OF MAGNET BOB.
>> -- BOB WAS.
SNEETS ¶ ¶
>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH HIS CAREER WAS AT ITS PINNACLE,
HIS PERSONAL LIFE WAS STARTING TO COME APART.
IN 1992 HE LOST HIS WIFE JANE TO CANCER.
AND HIS OWN HEALTH WAS STARTING TO FAIL AS WELL.
HE WAS FIGHTING HIS SECOND BOUT OF LYMPHOMA.
HE HAD HAD SURGERY FOR THE ORIGINAL DIAGNOSIS LONG
BEFORE "THE JOY OF PAINTING"
HAD STARTED AND HAD BEEN IN REMISSION FOR YEARS, ALL OF
WHICH WAS KEPT SECRET EXCEPT TO HIS CLOSEST FRIENDS.
>> HE REALLY GOT TIRED EASILY, AND THAT PROBABLY
WAS A PRECURSOR TO WHAT WAS COMING.
>> Reporter: BUT WHEN BOB KNEW HE WAS LOSING THE FIGHT,
HE BEGAN MAKING PLANS TO CARRY ON "THE JOY OF PAINTING."
>> WE HAD A COUPLE OF YEARS'
WARNING THAT WE WERE GOING TO LOSE BOB.
HE WORRIED THAT WHEN HE WAS GONE, THE LANDSCAPES WOULD
GO, TOO.
AND SO HE SD, "ANNETTE, I THINK YOU NEED TO GO PUBLIC
WITH THE FLORALS THAT YOU'RE PAINTING."
>> YOU KNOW, OVER THE YEARS, I'VE GOT LITERALLY HUNDREDS
OF LETTERS FROM PEOPLE SAYING, "TEACH US HOW TO
PAINT FLORS.
-- FLORALS."
WELL, I'M NOT REALLY A FLORAL PAINTER; I'M REALLY A
TREE AND MOUNTAIN PERSON.
SO I'VE ASKED MY DEAR FRIEND ANNETTE KOWALSKI.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW.
>> THANKS, BOB.
>> Reporter: AROUND THAT SAME TIME, THEY OPENED THE
BOB ROSS WORKSHOP IN NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FLORIDA, TO
TRAIN THE ARMY OF A NEW INSTRUCTORS TO CARRY ON
BOB'S LEGACY.
>> IT'S VIRAL.
YOU TEACH FIVE PEOPLE TO DO IT, AND THEY TEACH TEN
PEOPLE, AND THEY TEACH 20 PEOPLE, ASK IT JUST KEEPS
GROWING.
>> THAT'S WHAT HE WANTED TO HAPPEN, WAS THAT EACH PERSON
WOULD PASS ON THE JOY TO THE NEXT PERSON.
>> Reporter: THEN ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE HE DIED, IN 1994,
HE WAS INVITED TO BE A GUEST ON THE PHIL DONAHUE SHOW.
>> I RECALL THINKING, YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE WATCH THE
DONAHUE SHOW, YOU KNOW, WE HOPE THEY'RE INTERESTING AND
PEOPLE WATCH IT AND ENJOY IT.
WHEN THEY WATCH BOB ROSS, THEY WENT LIKE THIS.
YOU WERE MESMERIZED BY WHAT HE WAS DOING.
I REMEMBER JUST LEANING FORWARD TOWARD THE TELEVISION SET.
I COULDN'T GET OVER THIS GUY.
I WAS CRAZY ABOUT THE GUY.
SO WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE IMPRESSED?
YOU INVITE HIM ON YOUR SHOW, WHICH IS WHAT I DID.
>> YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T NECESSARILY JUMP OUT OF A CAKE.
YOU NEVER WERE THAT KIND OF GUY TO PUT A LAMP SHADE ON
YOUR HEAD.
YOU ARE SO CALM, SO COOL, YOU ARE YOURSELF, AND YOU
PUT TOGETHER SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WORK I'VE
EVER SEEN.
LOOK AT THE LIGHT SHINING.
I MEAN, THIS IS WONDERFUL.
SO WHO'S STUPID TO PUT HIS PAINTING UP AFTER BOB ROSS,
THE PRO?
ALL RIGHT, HERE I AM.
I'M ABOUT TO EMBARRASS THE WHOLE DONAHUE FAMILY HERE.
ALL RIGHT?
THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU APPLY YOURSELF AND HAVE
MORE TALENT THAN I DO.
THERE YOU GO.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THE AUDIENCE WAS JUST TOTALLY INTO THIS.
AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE 29 YEARS ON THE AIR WITH AN
AUDIENCE EVERY DAY, YOU GET PRETTY GOOD AT READING
AUDIENCES.
AND THIS AUDIENCE, AT THE TIME THAT HE DID OUR SHOW,
WAS TOTAL RAPT.
>> SIR?
>> OH, MY MOM WATCHES HIM ALL THE TIME.
HE GO OVER, AND SHE'S ALWAYS WATCHING THIS GUY PAINT.
AND SHE SAYS, "HE LOOKS SO GOOD, AND I WONDER HOW THEY
LOOK IN PERSON."
AND MOM, THEY LOOK TERRIFIC IN PERSON.
THEY LOOK GREAT.
>> THANK YOU.
BOB THANKS YOU.
>> ¶ ¶
>> Reporter: BY THE END OF 1994, BOB BECAME TOO WEAK TO
CONTINUE TO TRAVEL TO INDIANA FROM HIS HOME IN FLORIDA.
>> IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR AS HE STARTED DEALING WITH THOSE
ISSUES THAT DOING FOUR OR FIVE SHOWS IN A MATTER OF
THREE OR FOUR HOURS WAS JUST GETTING TO BE TOO MUCH, AND
THAT'S WHEN WE STARTED SAYING WE NEED TO STOP.
>> THE WORST PART OF ALL FOR HIM WAS HIS HAIR.
HE WAS SO UPSET, BECAUSE HIS HAIR -- YOU KNOW, HE DID GO
THROUGH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF RADIATION AND CHEMO, AND HIS
HAIR WAS FALLING OUT, AND, OF COURSE, HE HAD A WIG AT
THE END, THERE, BUT, YOU KNOW, HE HAD AN IMAGE TO
KEEP, AND THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HIM.
>> Reporter: HE HAD PRODUCED OVER 400 EPISODES OF "THE
JOY OF PAINTING."
THE LAST SERIES WAS NO. 31.
>> BOB WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE SERIES 32.
I THINK HE PREPARED 10 OR 12 OF THE PAINTINGS, AND THEN
HE COULDN'T PAINT ANYMORE, AND SO WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO
FILM OR TAPE THOSE PROGRAMS, BUT WE DO STILL HAVE THE
PAINTINGS.
>> Reporter: AFTER HE STOPPED RECORDING THE JOY OF
PAINTING, BOB WENT HOME TO FLORIDA AND REMAINED VERY
PRIVATE IN HIS FINAL MONTHS.
BOB'S LIFE HAD ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT SHARING THE JOY OF
PAINTING WITH OTHERS, AND EVEN AS HIS LIFE WAS COMING
TO AN END, HE WANTED TO FIND A WAY TO SHARE HIS LOVE OF
PAINTING AND WILDLIFE WITH CHILDREN.
AND SO HE TEAMED UP WITH A CREW FROM MUNCIE TO PRODUCE
A CHILDREN'S PROGRAM CALLED "THE ADVENTURES OF ELMER AND
FRIENDS."
BUT HE WAS TOO ILL TO TRAVEL TO INDIANA TO SHOOT THE
PILOT, SO THE CREW CAME TO FLORIDA AND RECORDED BOB'S
PARTS FROM HIS HOME.
>> I'LL BET THE TREES AND ANIMALS KNEW ALL ABOUT OLD
WALTER'S TREASURE, LIKE IT SAYS.
>> BUT HOW DOES THAT HELP US?
>> I THINK YOU SHOULD TALK TO A TREE.
>> TALK TO A TREE?
WE DON'T KNOW ANY TREES.
>> OH, YES WE DO.
HOW ABOUT THE HAPPY LITTLE TREE.
>> THE HAPPY LITTLE TREE?
YOU MEAN THE ONE BOB ALWAYS PAINTS?
>> YEAH, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA!
WE COULD ASK HIM ABOUT THE DIAMONDS.
>> WHERE IS HE?
>> HE'S IN YOUR IMAGINATION, BUT THERE MIGHT BE A PICTURE
OF HIM IN THIS BOOK.
>> IT WAS REALLY HEART-BREAKING WHEN WE
WALKED IN AND SAW BOB, BECAUSE WE HADN'T SEEN BOB
IN SO LONG.
HE HAD LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT, HE HAD LOST A LOT OF HAIR --
JUST NOT THE BOB ROSS THAT WE KNEW.
AND, GOD BLESS BOB, HE HAD THE SPIRIT, AND HE HAD THE
WILLINGNESS TO DO IT, WHETHER OR NOT HE HAD THE
ENERGY WAS IRRELEVANT.
>> Reporter: IN THE END, BOB WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE ONLY
IN THE PILOT EPISODE.
ON JULY 4, 1995, BOB ROSS DIED OF LYMPHOMA.
HE WAS 52 YEARS OLD.
>> HE REALLY TOUCHED A LOT OF PEOPLE AND MADE A
DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES, AND I THINK THE PAINTING
MADE A DIFFERENCE, BUT WHAT HE SAID MADE A DIFFERENCE.
I THINK WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR HOPE IN LIFE, EVEN TODAY,
AND WILL ALWAYS BE.
AND I THINK HE WAS SELLING HOPE AS MUCH AS HE WAS
SELLING PAINTING.
>> HE WAS JUST A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL MAN, AND WE WERE
SO LUCKY TO HAVE HIM COME AND SPEND THE TIME THAT HE
DID WITH US.
HE WAS OUR FRIEND.
HE WAS OUR BEST FRIEND.
>> Reporter: BOB'S LEGACY LIVES ON THROUGH HIS
THOUSANDS OF INSTRUCTORS WHO TEACH HIS METHOD.
>> WHEN I'M TEACHING, I FEEL LIKE HE'S THERE WITH ME,
GUIDING ME.
IT'S -- IT'S SO FUNNY.
IT'S AN EMOTIONAL THING.
I CAN'T DESCRIBE HOW EMOTIONAL PAINTING CAN BE
FOR PEOPLE, AND FOR ME.
>> WE CONTINUE TO CERTIFY TEACHERS AT THE SAME RATE AS
WHEN HE WAS ALIVE.
THERE'S PROBABLY 2,000 OF THEM NOW, AND THEY'RE ALL
OVER THE WORLD.
>> Reporter: AND BOB HIMSELF STILL LIVES ON THROUGH HIS
TV SERIES "THE BEST OF THE JOY OF PAINTING".
BLUE RIDGE PBS IN ROANOKE, VIRGINIA, PRESENTS THE
PROGRAM TO AMERICA'S PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS, WHERE
MORE THAN 90% OF THE COUNTRY CAN STILL WATCH BOB PAINT
HAPPY LITTLE TREES EACH WEEK.
>> WOULD KNEW THAT 30-ODD YEARS LATER THE SHOWS ARE
STILL RUNNING ON TV.
IT'S JUST FANTASTIC.
>> THERE WAS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON US RIGHT AFTER
WE LOST BOB TO REPLACE HIM WITH ANOTHER PAINTING, AND
WE TALKED ABOUT IT.
I THINK THE SMARTEST DECISION WE EVER MADE WAS
NOT TO REPLACE BOB WITH ANYONE ELSE.
HE WILL LIVE FOREVER.
>> THIS IS 28 YEARS LATER NOW, AND THE PHONE CALLS WE
GET TODAY ARE THE IDENTICAL TO THE CALLS WE WERE GETTING
28 YEARS AGO.
THIS IS A NEW GENERATION OF VIEWERS NOW.
>> I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE AGE
RANGE OF THE LIVES HE'S TOUCHED: COLLEGE STUDENTS,
YOUNG KIDS, OLD, MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
IT'S INCREDIBLE.
BUT YET THE ONE THING IS THAT MAN'S LEGACY DOES NOT
GO AWAY, NOR SHOULD IT.
WHAT HE'S GIVEN, MANY PEOPLE HAVE IMITATED, NEVER
DUPLICATED.
BUT WHAT A RIDE IT WAS.
>> I MISS HIM.
AND I'M SURE HIS MILLIONS OF FANS DO AS WELL.
>> UNTIL NEXT TIME, ON BEHALF OF ALL THE PERSONNEL
HERE, MY PARTNERS WALT AND ANNETTE KOWALSKI, I WOULD
LIKE TO WISH YOU HAPPY PAINTING.
GOD BLESS, MY FRIEND.
>> ¶ ¶
¶ ¶
>> THE THING I LOVED THE MOST ABOUT HIM, HE WOULD
WOULD PUT A LITTLE TREE IN HERE, AND MAYBE IT NEEDS A
FRIEND, AND MAYBE ANOTHER FRIEND -- I JUST LOVE THAT.
>> AND YOU WOULD SEE THERE WOULD BE A PART OF THE
CANVAS THAT'S DONE, AND HE WOULD BE LIKE, "OH, I'M
GOING TO PUT THIS HERE," AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE'S A
COTTAGE.
WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF I AGREE WITH BOB THAT ANYONE CAN PAINT.
ANYONE CAN DO IT, AND ANYONE CAN ENJOY IT.
SO IN THAT SENSE ANYBODY SHOULD.
I'VE SEEN SOME PAINTINGS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.
"LAUGHS ]
¶ ¶
THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MARTIN F. WEBER
COMPANY, MICHAELS STORES, HOBBY LOBBY, AND A.C. MOORE,
PROVIDING A VARIETY OF ARTS AND CRAFTS SUPPLIES, AND BY
PARTICIPATING MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL TEAM OF BOB ROSS
INSTRUBLGTORS.