10 Bob Ross quotes that will brighten your day
Matthew Wilson
- Bob Ross was born on October 29, 1942 - he would be turning 79 this year.
- His PBS painting show, "The Joy of Painting," ran from 1983 to 1994.
Bob Ross starred in the popular PBS instructional show "The Joy of Painting" from 1983 to 1994.
The show ended the year before he passed away.
Throughout his career, Ross was known for his calm demeanor and soothing voice. Though his main passion was painting, Ross also offered words of wisdom on life, success, happiness, and sadness.
Even now, on what would have been his 79th birthday, his advice on life offers confidence and reassurance that it's OK to make mistakes because they're just "happy little accidents."
Here are 12 Bob Ross quotes that will brighten your day.
"You can do anything here - the only prerequisite is that it makes you happy."
He also said, "You can do anything you want. This is your world."
"Look around. Look at what we have. Beauty is everywhere - you only have to look to see it."
Ross believed in the beauty of the world, which he often depicted through his paintings of valleys, forests, and mountains.
"I really believe that if you practice enough you could paint the 'Mona Lisa' with a 2-inch brush."
Ross believed that with enough practice anyone could be an artist. His entire show was about proving that point, but his words could also be applied to success in all aspects of life.
He also said, "This is your world. You're the creator. Find freedom on this canvas. Believe that you can do it, 'cuz you can do it."
“You have to allow the paint to break to make it beautiful.”
Ross' quote speaks to the duality of good times and bad times, success and failure, winning and losing.
As he also said, "Gotta have opposites, light and dark and dark and light, in painting. It's like in life. Gotta have a little sadness once in awhile so you know when the good times come. I'm waiting on the good times now."
"Gotta give him a friend. Like I always say, 'Everyone needs a friend.'"
Ross believed that no one should be alone. On his show, "The Joy of Painting," Ross would invite some of his friends to paint with him.
On the subject, he also famously said, "There's nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend."
“We don’t laugh because we feel good, we feel good because we laugh.”
Ross, pictured with his son, believed in finding happiness in the small moments, especially when painting. He also said, "We want happy paintings. Happy paintings. If you want sad things, watch the news."
“I guess I’m a little weird. I like to talk to trees and animals. That’s OK though; I have more fun than most people.”
Most of all, Ross suggested people embrace their oddities and express themselves both on the canvas and in real life.
"If we're going to have animals around we all have to be concerned about them and take care of them."
"They say everything looks better with odd numbers of things. But sometimes I put even numbers - just to upset the critics."
Ross' quote speaks to doing things in your own way.
As he also said, "The secret to doing anything is believing that you can do it. Anything that you believe you can do strong enough, you can do. Anything. As long as you believe."
"We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents."
This is one of Ross' most famous quotes. He believed mistakes were an opportunity learn and grow.
Another time, he said, "Ever make mistakes in life? Let's make them birds. Yeah, they're birds now."
- Read more:
- 12 of the most inspiring Fred Rogers quotes to get you through any crisis
- A wax artist's mesmerizing videos are taking over TikTok and fans are calling her 'the next Bob Ross'
- You can buy Bob Ross cereal that comes with marshmallows in the shape of happy trees
- Inside the life of Fred Rogers, the beloved icon behind 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' and subject of the biopic starring Tom Hanks
READ MORE ARTICLES ON
Popular Right Now
Popular Keywords
Advertisement