Wednesday, August 29, 2012

A Dedication To Bob Ross


Today I'm linking up with the sky and Bob Ross.  It's not your normal link because Bob is dead.  But when I look at our skies, I think of him often.


I really miss him.  Grew up watching his show on PBS....."The Joys of Painting".   Can't paint myself but his voice then and now always puts me at ease....and sometimes to sleep.  He went too early.  Died in the mid 90's at the young age of 52.  Has it been that long?


But when I look at the skies and watch the clouds roll by, I think of him.  His hair was out of control but his voice and paintings were always inspiring. 


These Buffalo Gourds grow wild in our deserts.  The first time I saw them, I was shocked. And the question everyone asks, "Are they edible?"  No.  However, archeological investigations show that Native Americans used the seeds as food.  They also used the green fruit and roots as a detergent and the dried fruits as a rattle.  Although javelinas dig up and eat the bitter root and coyotes, porcupines and humans eat the seeds, apparently no one eats the fruits.


But they're still cool to see around our desert landscape.  And I'm sure Bob would have painted them onto the canvas.   While writing this post, I listened to him speak and paint his skies and mountains.  These pictures are the closest I'll ever get to painting something by hand:)  Although he has stated in the past that it's easy....um....it's not.  I needed help the first time I did one.  It turned out well but I had an artist show me the steps to get there:) "We don't make mistakes; we just make happy accidents."  I'm glad my mother enjoyed my happy accident on Mother's Day:)

Arizona has some of the best sky shows in the world.  I walked the paths as the storm cloud began to build.  As things got darker, I moved quicker to the trailhead. 


The rain began to poor down onto the grasslands.


But it was like a little piece of heaven here.  And since everyone has mentioned that I should use my short lens more.....I thought this was the perfect time to do it.  Glad I did:)


But I miss you Bob Ross.  I really really do. At night, on PBS, I watch your show and every night, you teach me something new about landscape.  Your positive words make me smile as I fall quickly to sleep to the sound of your voice. You are the best.


And so I dedicate this post to you Bob for some wonderful childhood memories that continue today to inspire my photography. "Build a Happy Little Cloud."




33 comments:

  1. Your photographs and words make a fitting tribute to an obviously talented artist. How easy he makes it look - wish I could do just a little part of that.

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  2. Whenever I watch it, I have a little bet with myself about how long it will be before he starts adding tress. I've never seen a Bob Ross without some sort of conifer in it.

    It's easy!

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  3. Chris, the gourds must be neat to see growing in the desert. I am not familiar with Bob Ross, sounds like an interesting TV host. Beautiful and dramatic sky shots from your desert. I enjoyed your post and photos, have a great day!

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  4. Beautiful photos Chris - love the skies.

    The video is great - Bob Ross makes painting look so easy!! Its something I wish I could do too - would love to be able to paint wildflowers like Edith Holden for example. I've tried and I am totally useless.

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  5. I have a piece in the backoffice as a draft dealing with edible wild bush foods utilized by Native Americans. It's how I became interested in Botany in the first place.

    I don't really deal with the Buffalo Gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) so much, I have dealt with the Coyote Mellon or Coyote Gourd (Cucurbita palmata). Yes the pungent scent of the plant is a bit of a turn off, but the seeds are almost like roasted Pumpkin seeds. The seeds contain between 25-42% fat. Fat in the form of vegetable oil would be a critical dietary component in a desert, where animals carry very little fat on their bodies. They also are high in protein (22-35%) making them comparable to some legume seeds (Mesquite seeds).

    The Coyote Mellon has more of a smaller star shaped leaf. While the Buffalo has more of the large triangle shape as in your photo. And yet having said that i have found mistakes (Bed Mistakes) in some of the University literature on this very subject. Photos of Buffalo Gourd labled as Coyote Mellon. Then the same University Extension Cooperative page warns that these vines can become invasive. How does a plant in it's own natural habitat become invasive ? Chaparral is given the same blame when a forest fire destroys the forest. It's listed as invasive when springing up after a fire event. The chaparral is merely a programmed response and necessary step by step rehab into restoring the forest in the first place and these so-called geniuses should know this. Ah well, all this is in my next post anyway.

    I never really knew Bob Scott, but I like his artwork and your video. Artwork goes beyond a mere photograph. It's also an emotional interpretation of what the artist sees and feels at that moment of inspiration-



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    1. I saw that people weren't labeling these gourds/melons properly. The leaves are clearly different as are the color markings of the gourds. They are everywhere right now down in Sierra Vista and all along the wash near the Rillito River. Loved your post and have me thinking about a couple things to do in Tucson so I thank you for the ideas. It's fun to view the city from an outsiders perspective. It took me awhile to get into that mindset but now that I'm thinking this way, it makes everything so much fun:) And the city has been redefined for me because of these photo shoots around town. Pretty cool stuff. Write to you soon.

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    2. You might also follow the Tucson Audubon Society blog, they have some excellent pointers for bird attracting ideas.

      http://tucsonaudubon.blogspot.com/

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  6. Hi Kreesh, he is now smiling at you because those are great photos of the sky, very clear and vivid. I see those skies always here too, we share the same although our landscapes are very different. But i love how you shot your skies and the photo using the short lens on a very long path! And that gourd, it is beautiful as an ornamental because it is variegated.

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  7. After watching the video, I remember him! I was quite into painting in my younger days before I got married. He was a fascinating guy. Your photos are beautiful and a very nice tribute to him.

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  8. I remember him as well :) I wonder how many lives he touched with his creativity and positive attitude. I like to think that's what we're doing with our photography too.

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  9. ...I just began working on a piece of art work for a local contest that is being held here, and ironically I was thinking of the very same.

    Excellent tribute. Beautiful images.

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  10. I could not agree with you more! His voice was almost hypnotic. So very relaxing. Thanks for the memories.

    Your photos are stunning! Bob would be proud.

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  11. your clouds make a wonderful painting. :)

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  12. What a wonderful tribute Chris, I enjoyed the video so much, I can't believe how incredibly simple he made painting look, I know it's not simple, but how very adept he was, and you're right a wonderfully soothing voice as well. We have a WA guy called Rolf Harris who also had a program where he used to sing and paint the most amazing images so effortlessly. Ah to be so talented!!

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  13. I used to watch him all the time too! I wished I could paint, but I never even tried. At least you did and accomplished giving a gift to your mom. Your cloud pictures are amazing. You captured the moment perfectly.

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  14. I agree ... Arizona has some of the best sky clouds in the country! Great shots!

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  15. To put it simply, Bob Ross was better than a valium pill. Him and Mr. Rogers. I could watch him paint forever.

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    1. He's on CREATE! a PBS sponsored channel and on at night some nights. I fall asleep to his voice. I remember cold snowy blizzard days while he was on TV and watching him paint while I was stuck inside the house as a kid. And it brought me calm peaceful thoughts. That's a gift!

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  16. Myślę, ze Bob Ross byłby zadowolony z Twoich chmur na niebie. Oglądałam filmik i bardzo mi się podobało to, co ona malował. Pozdrawiam.
    I think that Bob Ross would be pleased with your cloud in the sky. I watched the video and I really liked what she painted. Yours.

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  17. Your AZ sky captures do Bob justice in teaching about landscapes. I've been loving this monsoon season especially for the photography, and the rain too. You Really need to try linking to Sky Watch Friday http://skyley.blogspot.com/ after 12:00 noon.

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  18. Beautiful photos of wide skies and what a great way to remember someone. I also especially like the photo with the tall grass beside the path.

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  19. I like your pictures a lot!
    very cute that little watermelone!

    xoxo, Juliana
    [pjhappies.blogspot.com]

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  20. you are such an interesting soul Chris
    I too loved that guy...watched him more for his gentle voice and manner
    I never tried to make one...like you did...yeah!
    I didn't know you could still see his show on tv
    I will look
    and I agree...your skies are glorious
    but come on...those are not edible....
    I wonder how many skeletons are scattered in the desert because of them?

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  21. I've seen Bob on the telly but I hadn't realised he had died, that is a real shame.
    I love your pictures and those sky shots are amazing.

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  22. Great pictures, and thanks for the introduction to Bob Ross. Your clouds are great, that last one doesn't look so "happy" though.

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  23. OMG... I've been away a few days. I LOVE the new picture at the top of the owl! Love it Love it Love it!
    The clouds with the mountains in the background are just perfect!

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    1. Welcome back!!! This was a special shoot that happened this past weekend. It was a hike to find this reported owl and it almost didn't happen but I couldn't wait to post that shot. I have lots more of some amazing things coming up....this owl just being one of them. I realized it was time to change the header:) So I'm glad everyone likes it:)

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  24. I have watched him before- but it has been years. I could not paint to save my life- but I love to take photographs. You captured some beautiful scenery, but I love that last shot the best!

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  25. 52 is much too young to die for sure. Your pictures look like paintings so I think Bob would like them very much. The gourds are neat!

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  26. I think you paint beautiful pictures with your camera, Chris. Bob would be proud - and very happy!

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  27. I remember seeing him on uk television years ago. He always reminded me of Rolf Harris, both in looks and painting skills.

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  28. Those skies are amazing, downright distracting.

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Thanks for stopping by!