The other day a Bob Ross video appeared on my Facebook feed. Of course I had to stop everything and watch it! Bob Ross was wonderful! In all of his cheesiness, he showed how confidence is all you need to paint a picture. Click here to watch the video.

When I teach my classes I’m always surprised by how many people arrive with a sense of fear of painting. It’s like having a fear of heights, but knowing that the view from up there will be amazing. They really want to create something, but are afraid they will make a mistake. Bob Ross made nothing but “happy accidents” and that’s what I try to teach in my classes.

First you need tools. The tools I provide start with an example. I demonstrate steps for my students so they can see that I’m not fretting about the outcome. I’m just letting the painting happen. If they can even sort of do those steps, the painting will be successful! They start, they make steps, they see progress and they keep going. Like climbing a mountain to see the view.

I also provide good quality materials. No matter how hard you try, if you’re using yucky materials, good, “happy” results are going to be much harder to achieve.

The last thing I provide is an encouraging atmosphere. This part is magical. First they gather around me to watch me paint as a demo. Then they take that energy back to their table and lay down some paint. Somebody says, “Oh! I did it!” and the person next to them says, “Wow! That looks great!” and they take that energy and it comes out on their painting too. Usually within an hour or so the energy in the room is buzzing. People are loosening up. They feed off each other. If the energy starts to slow down, I’ll do another demo and that seems to fire things back up. Before you know it, the two days have zipped past. I have been amazed by the things people will create with just that spark of enthusiasm, and I guess, confidence.

That’s why I teach. That magic is so fulfilling. I love watching people realize that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Just enjoy the journey. You never know what you’re going to see when you get to the top!

Join us in Arundel, Maine on June 20 & 21, 2019 for another wonderful group of positive painters! Click here for more info.