After a long crazy day of work and a frenzy at home, about 10PM, I finally settled down and decided to watch some "television". I use the word television, because I'm old school, that is, born in the 60's. Although I am not watching "network television", mind you. I'm using my television as a display vehicle for Netflix and YouTube.
When I fired up YouTube, I noticed that a Bob Ross episode happened to be trending, so I turned it on, and enjoyed the episode which had him painting a beautiful winter mountain scene, with trees and water, and some fog...
It was so peaceful.
Find out what's happening in Oxfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
It left me calm, and deep in my thoughts. When I finally snapped out of my trance, it occurred me... a Bob Ross episode of "The Joy of Painting" had been trending socially.
What!
Find out what's happening in Oxfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Yes, Bob Ross, and his "happy little trees" are trending again. But why now? What's making this old show cool and new again? As I thought more about it, I've seen an uptick in people wearing Bob Ross t-shirts, and Bob Ross meme's coming into my eMail, on Facebook, and if I'm not mistaken, there was even a Bob Ross costume at Halloween spirit.
Could it be that in the hustle and bustle of todays fast paced frenzied world, we're looking for this icon to slow us down... make us relax... in his soothing tone of voice... hypnotically watching him paint and blend his way to a 30 minute masterpiece.
He tells us that we can "paint our own little world" and that "there are no mistakes, just happy accidents". When life gives you lemons, we make lemonade, or in Ross speak we turn them into "free little birds" or if its a tree, he'll give it a friend "because everyone needs a friend".
He makes us feel good.
And in a world where you can be anonymous, full of fake news, and listening to outragous pitches by ingenuous ads, Bob Ross is genuine.
He paints, tells you about himself, his family, his pets, and he is as real as it gets. Bob Ross is authentic, a hippie with a fro who liked to paint. A welcome addition into your home after the rat race of the day churns you out.
In 30 minutes he takes a blank canvas, with some oil paints and 2 inch brush and turns it into a work of art. "The Joy of Painting", it's pretty amazing to watch really.
If you are lucky enough to be reading this you are probably in or around Oxford, CT. RAD ART, an arts & crafts studio in Oxford, is one of the few places in Connecticut that can offer The Bob Ross experience. Trained Ross instructor Gene Montano helps guide you through creating one Bob Ross masterpieces. If you enjoy watching it on TV, you'll enjoy doing it yourself in a fun, relaxing and engaging environment. Details for the event are listed here on the Oxford Patch