I’ve always loved art – from strolling through museums and admiring masterpieces to attempting to create something remotely beautiful myself, the therapeutic allure of painting has always captivated me.

Granted, my attempts at art often veer into the realm of what I like to call “accidental abstracts” – finding a picture on Pinterest, attempting to replicate it, failing miserably and then conveniently labeling it as abstract or contemporary.

But hey, 2024 is the year of new beginnings, and I’ve decided to try my hand at art the right way. Bob Ross, please enter our stage!

Why Bob Ross?

I mean, come on! The man’s soothing, ASMR-worthy voice and his reputation as one of the greatest artists ever make him an ideal guide. Plus, who can resist those happy little trees? So, armed with determination and some paints, I decided to embark on a Bob Ross painting adventure. I even googled “easiest Bob Ross painting to follow,” thinking I’d give myself a fighting chance.

Expectations were zero

With my paints and brushes at the ready, I plunged headfirst into the world of Bob Ross.

I may not be the next Van Gogh, but hey, everyone has to start somewhere, right? I approached this painting with the Bob Ross mantra in mind – the idea that there are no mistakes, just happy accidents.

Little did I know, my canvas was about to become a mosaic of unintended masterpieces. I’ve always strived to perfect my craft, but for this particular painting, I decided to embrace the imperfections.

Happy Accidents, Right? Right?

As it turns out, making it look easy is Bob Ross’s superpower. Unfortunately, my first big mistake was apparent – I didn’t properly thin out the paints. Bob’s gentle strokes gliding across the canvas were a far cry from my clumsy attempts, resulting in a chaotic clash of colours that could only be described as abstract in the most generous sense. ( but it was so fun seeing the colours sit on top of each other).

I found myself in a sticky situation, literally and figuratively, as I tried to salvage my masterpiece. My brushes, transformed into accomplices in this crime against art.

We are calling it abstract okay?

At the end, my journey into the world of Bob Ross may not have yielded the serene landscapes I had envisioned, but it did offer something unexpected – a canvas bursting with unintended charm. Perhaps, in the grand tradition of abstract art, my masterpiece was meant to be a product of chaos and happy accidents.

As I stepped back to admire (or perhaps laugh at) my creation, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I had stumbled upon my own unique style.

Let’s paint together

While my painting didn’t turn out the way I wanted it too, I truly enjoyed painting. There’s something special about picking up a brush and letting the colours dance on the canvas. It’s like a mini-vacation for your mind.

So, we’re stoked to introduce Happy Painter – an event tailor-made for all you students looking to unwind and tap into your creative side. Join us on Thursday, Jan. 18 in the Zen Zone (Lakeshore K building basement) and unleash your inner artist!

See you there!

Photo by Daian Gan from Pexels

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