Teaching for Telesales

In early 1983 Bob Ross and WIPB-TV officially came together to begin filming and producing “The Joy of Painting” in Muncie. Within four months two seasons were “in the can” and ready to roll, and Bob and the WIPB crew were busy planning out filming schedules for the future. While working on this new television show was important to Bob, it was certainly not the only thing he was doing.

This newspaper advertisement highlighting Bob Ross’s upcoming classes and painting demonstrations ran on the pages of the August 1983 issues of the Star Press.
Newspapers.com

               While he would later become a television icon, Bob saw himself first and foremost as a painting teacher. In fact, in 1983 he travelled around the country teaching classes for Bill Alexander, his mentor and instructor in the wet-on-wet technique. To stir up local interest in his classes in Muncie, Bob not only ran newspaper advertisements, but also demonstrated the painting technique at the Muncie Mall. In October of that year he put his teaching skills to use in another way.

               Preparing for their annual Telesale fundraiser, WIPB pulled together some truly unique offerings. Included amongst the list of items for sale were three original oil paintings. Not competed by Bob Ross, but painted by three notable citizens. Amongst the group was Stefan Anderson, then president of Merchants National Bank.  Sitting at a table in a building at the Delaware County Fair Grounds, Anderson listened and watched closely as Bob instructed the group about how to create delicate clouds and how to confidently create an “almighty mountain.”

Stefan Anderson completes his painting for the Fall 1983 WIPB-TV Telesale under the tutelage of television artist, Bob Ross.
Image Courtesy of Ball State University Libraries

               Commenting on the experience, Anderson said, “When we put highlights on our mountains, we really began to get serious. The mood of the group changed as the painting became more realistic.” With the confidence that Bob so naturally inspired in his students, Anderson walked away that day having created his own masterpiece. And with Bob’s help, all three paintings went up for auction in November to benefit WIPB. Today, Mr. Anderson owns the canvas he completed. Although he painted the mountain scene almost forty years ago, it still brings a smile to his face when he speaks about the experience of painting with Bob. For years the canvas was tucked away on a wall in his lake cottage. When a grandson happened upon it he was in awe not only of his grandfather’s accomplishment, but also of that fact that Anderson had painted with Bob – someone who despite his iconic status, was a friend and neighbor in the Muncie community.

               To see Anderson’s painting in person come visit our temporary exhibit Bob Ross at Home – Artist, Teacher, Friend. The exhibition brings together paintings from private individuals, artwork from Minnetrista’s museum collection, and photographs of Bob Ross to share Bob’s artwork and stories of his time in Muncie. The exhibit closes August 15, and is something you won’t want to miss! https://www.minnetrista.net/gallery-exhibits