How You Can Make Happy Little Accidents In Bob Ross’s Indiana Studio

The Magic Of Happy Little Trees

At some point in your life, you've probably had to paint, and that 6th-grade art teacher who attempted to teach you probably got a note or two from the one and only Bob Ross. Robert Norman Ross was America's painting man, hosting the legendary TV show, The Joy Of Painting, from 1983 to 1994, which was filmed in Muncie, Indiana. I use the term legendary loosely, as the PBS TV show didn't exactly break any viewership records. However, the host himself (and possibly his afro) is as famous as painters come in modern eras (I'm obviously excluding the likes of da Vinci, Van Gogh, Monet, etc.). While helpful painting tips and a sunny disposition were the features of his show, the majority of people tuned in for his gentle demeanor. Delivering memorable lines such as "We don't make mistakes; we have happy accidents," and "There's nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend," made Bob Ross a household name. Ross embraced a one-of-a-kind teaching style, embracing the wet-on-wet technique. Here's an inside look at the show and some of the best quotes from the man himself:

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How You Can Paint Those Happy Little Trees In His Home

Bob Ross was born, raised, and lived in Florida, but filmed his show at a house in Muncie because the show was originally aired on the town's local PBS programming. Today, this house is home to The Bob Ross Experience, essentially a museum dedicated to all things Bob Ross. A truly interactive experience, you can view letters from fans, the tv studio where the show was filmed, and on select dates, you can engage in a painting workshop, hosted by a Bob Ross-certified instructor. The home itself includes a lot of Muncie history, giving you a two-for-one like tour. For ticket pricing and information, check out Bob Ross Experience. Here's an excellent documentary from Ball State Public Media that discusses the Experience and how they got to where they are today: