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Genre: Questionable Fiction
Word Count: 100
PENTIMENTO
“There are no mistakes,” said the artist. “Only happy accidents.”
His soft voice caressed the TV viewer’s ears while he made love to a cloud with his wide brush. Often, he brought wild animals onto the set. He was nature lover first. Artist second. Passion on canvas.
Magnificent scenes appeared under his skillful hand in half an hour week after happy week.
“Believe strongly enough and you can make it happen,” he’d say.
We believed, didn’t we?
Mystery paints his final days. Smoking and inhaling paint thinner may have taken his life, but who owns the rights to his legacy?
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
They’re re-running his show in the UK right now. So this time, I know who you’re talking about. Magic brushes, indeed
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Dear Neil,
I’m glad you were able to connect with this one. 😉 I recently watched a documentary about him. More than paint and brushes to the man.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reblogged this on Sharing Thoughts.
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Thank you for the reblog, Indira.
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My pleasure, dear.
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Nice one. I have to go to the link. Thanks.
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Many thanks, Indira. The link adds a lot to the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely art. Skilled artist indeed.
He took inspiration from nature.
Unless he has left a will, ownership of his works will be debated.
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Dear Anita,
He left a will and instructions. Afraid there’s more to the story than that. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
A timely tribute to a man many loved to mock while others loved to watch, inspired by what he made look so ver easy. Thanks for the link, too. The documentary is on my list of ‘to-watch”.
Shalom and lotsa artistic love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
The documentary is quite an eye-opener and I have no reason to disbelieve his son. He did make it look easy, didn’t he? Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom and lotsa creative hugs,
Rochelle
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It would be a low level of disgraceful if his son was lying. He really did. As do you!
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Well told, and sad
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Thank you, Michael. I hope the family can get the rights to his name back. Ugly situation.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I used to see his show, and comments about him, and he’d always struck me as so subtle, quiet, and inconspicuous. He really left quite a mark, though, maybe like the Mr. Rogers of his world
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Dear Larry,
He definitely left his mark and in such a creative way. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He wasnt big here, but I remember somehow seeing some tv of his ‘miracle painting’.
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Dear Trish,
I’m never sure how far reaching an American’s influence was when I write these stories. 😉 His paintings were amazing, weren’t they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good history/business lesson here. I used to watch him and wish I could paint like him. Alas, I never pursued it. I went to the link you gave about him. Very interesting.
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Dear Jan,
The documentary was quite an eye-opener, too. Whoda thunk it? I still don’t know how he did what he did and made it look so easy. Thank you, m’luv.
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Whenever I stayed over with my Granny, we would watch Mr. Ross. I often fell asleep to the quiet sounds of his soft voice and paint brush slapping the canvas. Maybe he was part of why I became an artist myself. I never could afford oils, but I would try to imitate his style with acrylics… it CAN be done, you just have to plan ahead and think about what you’re doing. He is greatly missed in this world.
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Dear Bear,
Acrylics are easier to breathe around. I did some oil paintings in my younger years but lately have fallen in love with watercolor. Nonetheless, Mr. Ross was very influential, if not a fascinating individual. Keep painting, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I might learn something if I didn’t fall asleep every time he comes on. Not that sleep is a bad thing. LOL!
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Rochelle,
Your story hit all the right notes of art, passion, and belief. I like this quote from the article: “Talent is a pursued interest,” Ross says in one episode. “Anything that you’re willing to practice, you can do.” It’s a pity that where money is involved, skulduggery lurks.
Shalom,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
Another artist friend and I have discussed the difference between talent and a gift. Are they one and the same?
It’s a shame that a man who spread so much joy should have his legacy darkened so. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That documentary is in my queue. My friend is a painter and in a painting club. She is somehow distantly acquainted with someone who was interviewed for the documentary. I just remember the elapsed-time painting clips they used to play during Saturday morning cartoons.
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Dear Nobbin,
I was aware of Bob Ross but didn’t sit and watch a lot of his programs. What he could do in a half hour did amaze me, though. The documentary is worth the watch. Quite an eye-opener.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting story – yours and the one you link. I don’t know Bob Ross, but it reminds me of the painter on TV during my childhood, Rolf Harris. His legacy turned out to be very different from what we expected too.
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Dear Jen,
And I haven’t heard of Rolf Harris. Thinks aren’t always what they seem, are they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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At your best…….pulls one in…
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Thank you, Ain. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is so much more to him than looks on the surface. I used to love to watch his paintings.
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Dear Athling,
There was definitely more to him than a paint brush and an afro. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, Bob Ross is a man whose works live on long beyond him. I had heard the netflix documentary was good and plan on seeing it. I like the way you commemorate him here.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
I love the way a story sometimes drops into my lap 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are most welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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A delightful and gifted man. I have a friend who watched his demonstrations every week.
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The documentary is worth the watch, Linda.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A delightful piece and an interesting link. I’ll be looking for him on Netflix tonight!
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Thanks for giving Froggie a spot!
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Dear Keith,
Thank you for your delightful frog renderings. I can’t help but snatch one here and there. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can only admire the gifted artist–great patience and skill.
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Dear James,
He was a skilled artist.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i don’t know the man, but he seemed to have lived the life he wanted to. such a blessing.
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Dear Plaridel,
He was an American icon to many. I’d say he lived the life he wanted for the most part.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is some nice word-smithing here. I particularly liked “Mystery paints his final days”.
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Dear Penny,
I’m so glad you caught that deliberate line. 😀 Thank you for your generous words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
I recently saw the documentary on Netflix. It was quite good and sad all at once.
I’ve heard stories like his from my art show days. It’s a part of the game.
Your description of him is so spot-on. I remember watching him when my children
were small. he was fascinating to watch. Yes, I did try to emulate him. I never could
finish a painting in a short time – kids. LOL
Well done, my amiga, well done.
Abrazos y Carino, Stay Safe 😷
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
Back in the Bob Ross days I only caught his shows on rare occasions as I was busy raising children. It never occurred to me to emulate him. I always preferred portraiture and didn’t care to do landscapes. The truth was I didn’t think I had the ability to paint them.
The documentary was quite the eye-opener, wasn’t it?
Abrazos y Shalom, mi buen amiga,
Rochelle
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It was an eye opener that this happened to him. He seemed like a man who was trying to find himself but when he did try to be that person he was steered in a different way in order to take advantage and monetize their lives. What is it they say, “Men and women can’t be friends? I thought it was odd he had a romance with her. But, she denies it and quien sabe. Hubby and I have had many conversations about him. I’m glad his son was able to paint like him. I think your style is unique. Many, many people can paint a sunset. Thanks for hosting this weekly writing challenge. I don’t think people are aware of the task. I am … can’t find my emoji’s. There should be a heart there. : )
Carino abrazos,
Isadora
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What a wonderful tribute Rochelle. Yes he touched so many!
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Thank you so much, Raymond.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle for this moving tribute to your friend. And thanks for welcoming to Friday Fictioneers.
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Dear Susan,
I can’t say he was my friend. 😉 Again I’m so glad you welcome you to this blogging community.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had a quick look through the link. Quite the story!
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Thank you, Ali.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had never heard of him until I read your story last Wednesday. Imagine my surprise when a major german magazine had an article about him and the documentary later this week. I think his show was here on TV, too, but I rarely watch TV.
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Dear Gabi,
While I was aware of Mr. Ross, I rarely watched his show. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A subchannel of PBS Create has been running his shows; he even has a booble head doll with sayings (Barnes and Nobel). LEading to a whole new generation of fans of his happy trees, including one of my husband’s coworkers who is too young to remember the orginal run of shows. We gave him a Bob Ross bobble-head doll (who says the typic Bob Ross phrases). Barnes and Nobles has some wild booble-heads . . .
I am interested in the documentary you mention. A while back, out of curiousity, I did some research on him — fascinating man.
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Dear Lorraine,
After watching the documentary I’d be less inclined to buy the bobble head. It seems those profits are going to the wrong people. He was fascinating, wasn’t he? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I will have to watch the documentary.
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Hi Rochelle,
I was first introduced to Bob Ross when I visited my grandparents since my grandfather would always watch him, both being painters. Even now, it’s great to watch him just because of his soothing style and demeanor.
I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been busy with my young writers’ site, The Green-Walled Treehouse. I mostly feel bad posting to Friday Fictioneers and not having time to read others’ stories, but I’m hoping to be able to get back to it before long.
Have a great weekend,
David
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Dear David,
You do leave a David-shaped void on the squares. Green-Walled Treehouse sounds like fun, though. As you see our numbers have been dwindling. And I sometimes question whether or not I should keep Friday Fictioneers going. There are times these days with the hustle and bustle of art fairs, etc I’ve been posting reruns because my muse has been in drydock. Ans while the participants are fewer, it takes me longer to get around to reading and commenting.
A recent crushing disappointment has also put the brakes on my writing lately.
Enough of my whining. I’m glad you could relate to my story and took the time to comment. I’ll continue to keep the light on for you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, I know what you mean about juggling writing/blogging with the rest of life. The Green-Walled Tower has lapsed since I can’t keep up with two blogs and all the other things I need to do. I’ll try to join FF this week. It’d be nice to see the gang again. I hope your week goes well.
David
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I love watching his shows, Rochelle. So therapeutic, such a wonderfully calming voice and attitude. May you always have happy trees.
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Thank you, Michael. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A short but highly fruitful life. Sad, the fight for his legacy. Read the review of his Netflic docu. Extremely gifted though eclectic genius wity the heart of a child. Gullible to the core. Lovely story, Rochelle.
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Dear Neel,
Spot on. It seems that sweet child’s heart, so trusting, was his downfall. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love his shows. Love the art and his skill as a teacher!
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Thanks for stopping by, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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