My Visit to Bob Ross Gallery New Smyrna Beach Central Florida May 2010
Although I am an Alexander Certified Instructor, I originally came across this technique by watching the Bob Ross 'Joy of Painting' show on UK cable tv back in 1997. It wasn't until I researched more about Bob that I learned he had been taught the 'wet on wet' technique from his friend and mentor, Bill Alexander, before continuing to develop his own style and form his own separate company.
Bob was a native of Daytona in Florida which is near Orlando...the theme park capital of the world.
The last week of April this year, my daughter wanted us to visit Orlando with her to celebrate her 25th Birthday as she swam with the Dolphins at Orlando's Discovery Cove.
I knew Bob had a gallery in nearby NSB near Daytona although I don't believe he actually taught there much himself. Being so close though I had to make a visit and see some of Bobs original paintings that hang on the gallery's walls.
The day I called the present instructor and teacher trainer Doug Hallgren was at hand to show me around. It's a very unassuming building, in fact just a store front amongst other shops in a mini shopping mall area. There were Bob paintings on each side of the gallery's walls along with other instructors work. You aren't allowed to photograph them though. However, Doug kindly showed me some of his own work which was very impressive and I mentioned I planned to paint my own version of a Florida Gator Swamp scene upon my return to the UK as Bob had done in JOP series 25.
Doug showed me an example of his own swamp painting which I'd be proud to have done myself. :) See how I do!
Bob Ross Teacher Trainer Instructor, Doug Hallgren and me at Bobs NSB Gallery
I thanked Doug for his hospitality and bought an official Bob tee shirt and mug before leaving to find my family who had gone to find somewhere to eat....I could have stayed chatting to Doug a lot longer! Thanks Doug great to meet you.
Bob as those who knew about him, also knew he was a friend of the 'wild' critters and helped out at the Orlando, 'Back to Nature' wildlife reserve. I'd hoped to visit there too as the founder, Carmen Shaw was a great friend of Bob's and I'd hoped maybe to meet with her and hear some Bob memories. Alas, that didn't work out nor did a visit to Bobs grave and final resting place at Woodlawn Cemetary in Gotha just 20 minutes from our Hotel in Orlando. My family weren't overkeen on visiting a cemetary and I couldn't really insist a trip there took precedence over visiting Mickey Mouse for the umpteenth time! Funny, in one episode of JOP, Bobs actually said he lived about 10 minutes from Mickey Mouse.
I also hoped to meet up with Professor Kristin Congdon of The University of Central Florida with whom I've been in touch via email for a few years now in connection with a book on US art she is writing, (with associate Doug Blandy) which will hopefully feature heavily on Bob's influence on the US art world. Again, time and unexpected problems didn't allow me that pleasure. Kristin kindly sent me a photo she had of the time she paid her respects to Bob and visited his final resting place with Doug. However, the Bob experience I did have was a memory I'll always cherish. I even heard the JOP show theme being played over the park speakers the day we visited Orlando 'SeaWorld'....now that was strange to hear that as we waited in line for 'Shamu'! :)...odd thing when I asked staff why it was playing..they hadn't a clue! :)
Bobs 'Happy Little Tree' :)
