Yesterday was not only Independence Day, it was also the anniversary of the death of beloved painting legend, and wild fro stylist, Bob Ross:

Crazy hippy he may be, soft-talking tree lover for sure. Personally, I would like to stand up and be counted as a fan of Bob Ross and what he stood for: creating for fun, simple techniques, total inclusiveness, and happy little trees.

He said in 1993 to USA Today: “I started painting as a hobby when I was little. I didn’t know I had any talent. I believe talent is just a pursued interest. Anybody can do what I do.” I don’t know about that. I’m not sure anyone else could rock that hair.

There was much more to the man than inspiring millions of people to paint: here are some things you may not know. . .

Interesting Bob Ross Facts:

While he painted as a child, he began to do it seriously around the age of 18 while in the military, when he was stationed in Alaska. . . so I guess the mountain thing really makes sense:

“The Joy of Painting” is still carried by nearly 450 public television stations throughout the United States.

Bob Ross built a painting supply and training empire, yet never sold any of his paintings. Most went either to charity or to PBS.

During his childhood in Florida, he once shocked his mother by trying to nurse a wounded alligator back to health in the family’s bathtub.

Before his illness, Mr. Ross was trying to put together a non-painting related nature show, which I suspect would have been wonderful.

Here he is, showing us how to feed a baby squirrel:

I will leave you with another Bob Ross quote, which again is what I wish I had been eloquent enough to say.

“Traditionally, art has been for the select few. We have been brainwashed to believe that Michelangelo had to pat you on the head at birth. Well, we show people that anybody can paint a picture that they’re proud of. It may never hang in the Smithsonian, but it will certainly be something that they’ll hang in their home and be proud of. And that’s what it’s all about.”

Thanks, Mr. Ross.

Em