A Joint Endeavor
When the twenty-fourth season of “The Joy of Painting” aired on television in 1991, the first episode featured a composition called “Gray Mountain.” Like many of Bob Ross’s other on-air paintings, this one featured a prominently positioned mountain surrounded by pine trees. As he worked his brushes on the canvas, a broad sky with blazing colors appeared. In May of that year, Bob once again put his painting tools to work, creating another interpretation of “Gray Mountain.” This time the bold pinks, oranges, and yellows appearing in the television version were replaced with muted hues and a layer of dark blue hanging at the top of the sky – almost seeming to suggest an impending storm. Perhaps Bob’s choice to paint a darker sky this time around was impacted by the rain clouds that had settled over Muncie that weekend. They threatened a chance of rain, but did not dare ruin the fun.
Bob Ross leading the first Bob Ross Paint-In held in the Midwest. Visitors came from around the region paint along with Bob at Minnetrista on May 18, 1991. Minnetrista Heritage Collection
On May 18, 1991 crowds of people gathered at Minnetrista for the opening of a new exhibit, Bob Ross: The Joy Behind the Painting. Developed by Minnetrista’s staff with Bob’s participation, the exhibit showed off many of Bob’s paintings. This was the first time his work was exhibited in a museum and visitors from around Indiana and the Midwest showed up in large numbers to view the exhibition. While the clouds looked ominous on the morning of the 18th, Bob continued on with his plan to host the Midwest’s first ever Bob Ross Paint-In. With Bob upon a stage, he painted before a huge crowd of fans. Some eagerly following along on their own canvases. Others simply watching in amazement. While seeing Bob paint before such a large crowd was a sight to behold, another painting that Bob did during the weekend of events was an equally proud moment for Minnetrista.
In 1987 Ed and Virginia Ball hosted a fundraiser for WIPB-TV. At the event, Bob completed a painting for an entranced crowd. Ed and Virginia even added a bit of paint to the canvas themselves. Image courtesy of Chris Taylor
For years, Ed Ball (one of Minnetrista’s founders) had been a steadfast supporter of PBS (For more about Ed’s involvement with public television, click here ). By 1991 Bob had been filming “The Joy of Painting” at WIPB-TV in Muncie for eight years. Not surprisingly, the two men had met each other many times. This weekend the two would meet again, but not to discuss how things were going at WIPB or just to share pleasantries. Instead, Bob and Ed met in Minnetrista’s main lobby to create their own version of “Gray Mountain” … together. Working side by side, and putting brushes to the same canvas. Their joint venture resulted in a beautiful painting that captured Bob’s wonder of nature, and even gave a nod to Ed’s own personal interests.
Ed Ball and Bob Ross completing their joint version of “Gray Mountain” together in 1991 at Minnetrista. Minnetrista Heritage Collection
As the two men put the finishing touches on their painting, Bob realized something was missing. Before the painting was signed Bob grabbed a small brush. In the upper left corner of the composition, he added an airplane flying across the sky. Through his interactions with Ed Ball over the years, Bob knew that Ed had been an accomplished and active aviator for many decades. By Adding in this last detail, Bob ensured that this unique painting reflected both of the creators’ personalities.
To explore more of Bob Ross’s paintings in the Minnetrista Heritage Collection visit our online collections portal.
Bob Ross and Ed Ball’s interpretation of “Gray Mountain.” Completed together at Minnetrista in 1991.
Minnetrista Heritage Collection
