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Happy Little Accidents: The Wit and Wisdom of Bob Ross
“Anything we don't like, we'll turn it into a happy little tree or something; we don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents.”
Bob Ross, the soft-spoken artist painting happy clouds, mountains, and trees has captivated us for years with the magic that takes place on his canvas in twenty-six television minutes—all while dispensing little branches of wisdom. His style and encouraging words are a form of therapy for the weary, but with Bob it is always about more than painting. There is a hidden depth within his easy chatter, another layer to everything he says. When he talks about painting, he's using it as a metaphor for life!
Happy Little Accidents: The Wit and Wisdom of Bob Ross opens with an introduction and brief biography of Ross, followed by a collection of Ross's greatest quotes and most majestic works of art.
Relax. Unwind. Be inspired.
“Just let your imagination go. You can create all kinds of beautiful effects, just that easy…”
128 pages, Hardcover
Published May 9, 2017
3 people are currently reading
694 people want to read
About the author
Bob Ross
71 books184 followersBob Norman Ross was an American painter and television host.
With his calm, patient nature, Ross came to prominence as the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, a long-running television program on public broadcast stations in the United States. Ross died of lymphoma at the age of 52.
With his calm, patient nature, Ross came to prominence as the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, a long-running television program on public broadcast stations in the United States. Ross died of lymphoma at the age of 52.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
November 22, 2019
There's not much to this quaint little giftie-type book but pictures of Bob's happy little artwork on one page, and one of his cheery little quotes on the other.
"Anything we don't like, we'll turn it into a happy little tree or something; we don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents."
I really enjoyed the brief biography at the beginning of the book, so much so that I'll be happy to share the highlights with you. Bob led an interesting life. During a stint in the US Air Force, Ross was assigned to a base in Alaska where he was taken with the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscape. While there, he took a painting class at a USO club in Anchorage.
"Sometimes you learn more from your mistakes than you do from your masterpieces."
He began selling his paintings, soon earning enough money to leave the military, and concentrate full time on his art. Ross was teaching painting classes in Virginia when he was approached about doing a televised art instruction show. The Joy of Painting premiered in January of 1983, and ran for over a decade. All of the paintings created on the show were given to charities, or to PBS for fundraising drives.
"Friends are the most important commodity in the world. Even a tree needs a friend."
Ross's iconic hairstyle was actually born out of frugality. After retiring from the military, Bob opted to get a perm rather than pay for frequent trips to the barber shop. He later grew to hate the 'fro, but by then it was part of his brand, and impossible to lose. In 1994, as Ross struggled with lymphoma, he wore a wig while he filmed his final episodes.
He died in 1995, at the age of fifty-two.
"Perhaps most important, he championed the idea that painting - and finding joy - is something everyone can do, whether they're a beginner with no discernible talent, or an expert who's been painting for years. It isn't about the art so much as it is the doing" - from the author's introduction.
Here's a great website called TwoInchBrush which features every painting done by Ross on his TV show. If you click on a painting, you will get a list of all the colors used in that painting, plus a link to the episode on Ross's YouTube channel. https://www.twoinchbrush.com/all-pain...
Neat, huh?
"There's beauty in every tree and every bush. Just take the time to look at 'em."
"Anything we don't like, we'll turn it into a happy little tree or something; we don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents."
I really enjoyed the brief biography at the beginning of the book, so much so that I'll be happy to share the highlights with you. Bob led an interesting life. During a stint in the US Air Force, Ross was assigned to a base in Alaska where he was taken with the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscape. While there, he took a painting class at a USO club in Anchorage.
"Sometimes you learn more from your mistakes than you do from your masterpieces."
He began selling his paintings, soon earning enough money to leave the military, and concentrate full time on his art. Ross was teaching painting classes in Virginia when he was approached about doing a televised art instruction show. The Joy of Painting premiered in January of 1983, and ran for over a decade. All of the paintings created on the show were given to charities, or to PBS for fundraising drives.
"Friends are the most important commodity in the world. Even a tree needs a friend."
Ross's iconic hairstyle was actually born out of frugality. After retiring from the military, Bob opted to get a perm rather than pay for frequent trips to the barber shop. He later grew to hate the 'fro, but by then it was part of his brand, and impossible to lose. In 1994, as Ross struggled with lymphoma, he wore a wig while he filmed his final episodes.
He died in 1995, at the age of fifty-two.
"Perhaps most important, he championed the idea that painting - and finding joy - is something everyone can do, whether they're a beginner with no discernible talent, or an expert who's been painting for years. It isn't about the art so much as it is the doing" - from the author's introduction.
Here's a great website called TwoInchBrush which features every painting done by Ross on his TV show. If you click on a painting, you will get a list of all the colors used in that painting, plus a link to the episode on Ross's YouTube channel. https://www.twoinchbrush.com/all-pain...
Neat, huh?
"There's beauty in every tree and every bush. Just take the time to look at 'em."
December 25, 2018
Beautiful copies of Ross's artwork next to his adorable quotes! It makes me smile!
January 24, 2018
Bob Ross just makes me happy...especially when he starts slapping down big old trees and happy little clouds. What a nice way to get a little Bob Ross in your day.
(p.s. I bought this a couple days before Christmas when I saw a display near the cash registers in a book store. Ostensibly, it was a gift for my wife.)
(p.s. I bought this a couple days before Christmas when I saw a display near the cash registers in a book store. Ostensibly, it was a gift for my wife.)
March 29, 2019
I love this man so much. This book is filled with truths as well as a short biography of this intriguing fellow. I also love seeing his paintings alongside his powerful words of advice. A great little book that I will read many times over.
June 18, 2017
My only beef with this book is I wish it was longer! I got it for Father's Day and will always cherish it. Bob is one of my heroes.
April 7, 2022
Witty, from America's most soft spoken and beloved painter!
January 19, 2018
This book is slight but it does not pretend to be anything it's not. Reading it I could hear Bob Ross' voice in my head saying all his little catchphrases, and that is very unusual for me.
November 15, 2021
Although Bob Ross was on television when I was young it was a show that I rarely ever watched although there were occasions where I did get a glimpse of the man. The thing that always attracted me, though, when I did see him was his soft spoken manner.
Fortunately before getting into the body of his wit and wisdom, this little book gives the reader an introduction to the man behind the famous painter thus learning how he came to his trademarks and the true passion of his soul. It is a shocking yet refreshing view to see the changes that some people are able to make in their life, especially as it changes their whole life afterward.
The book is set-up so that every presentation to the reader is a two-page spread. On one side you have one of his many artworks and on the other one of his many sayings. These sayings range from inspirational to nature metaphors to secular truths of painting while focusing on conveying his soothing calmness of voice. Some will possibly make you laugh and others will hit you with their insight into the human psyche.
Bob Ross' artwork is predominantly one of the main reasons to buy this book. They are gorgeously colored, full of details and just as peaceful as his words of wisdom are. Whether you are staring at his waterfalls, a dilapidated shed in the woods, the crashing sea or even just one of his many visits to the woods you will be conveyed to a place where nature is considered supreme.
All in all it is a great book of wisdom for those who are either into Bob Ross, nature paintings or even just general shared knowledge of life.
Fortunately before getting into the body of his wit and wisdom, this little book gives the reader an introduction to the man behind the famous painter thus learning how he came to his trademarks and the true passion of his soul. It is a shocking yet refreshing view to see the changes that some people are able to make in their life, especially as it changes their whole life afterward.
The book is set-up so that every presentation to the reader is a two-page spread. On one side you have one of his many artworks and on the other one of his many sayings. These sayings range from inspirational to nature metaphors to secular truths of painting while focusing on conveying his soothing calmness of voice. Some will possibly make you laugh and others will hit you with their insight into the human psyche.
Bob Ross' artwork is predominantly one of the main reasons to buy this book. They are gorgeously colored, full of details and just as peaceful as his words of wisdom are. Whether you are staring at his waterfalls, a dilapidated shed in the woods, the crashing sea or even just one of his many visits to the woods you will be conveyed to a place where nature is considered supreme.
All in all it is a great book of wisdom for those who are either into Bob Ross, nature paintings or even just general shared knowledge of life.
January 25, 2021
I enjoyed reading through the quotes in the book, but at times it did feel like they may have been reaching for some extra quotes to fill some space. That being said, the mini-biography at the beginning and of course the images of his famous landscapes were enough to keep me flipping through the whole book. I look forward to busting this out as a mini-artbook for folks to flip through once in-person gatherings are OK to have again.
May 14, 2019
This book takes 15 minutes of your time, but leaves you feeling good for hours afterwards. If you are a fan of Bob Ross (and who isn't!) you will love this little collection of quotes and paintings. There is a little biography in the front of the book too. Crazy to think of all the art he created in such a short life.
Everyone should read this book!
Everyone should read this book!
December 17, 2017
It's quotes and art by Bob Ross--what's not to love??
December 23, 2018
How could I not love this book? It has a lot of lovely quotes from Bob Ross, as well as a nice number of his art pieces. It really is a lovely book, and I would definitely recommend it for fans of Bob Ross.
February 24, 2020
I loved this happy little book. Full of simple truths and inspiration. Like a quiet Zen master, Bob Ross makes us better...
June 25, 2020
I love Bob Ross!
February 1, 2020
Little pearls of wisdom — and samples from tens of thousands of paintings — by one of the sweetest human beings the world has ever seen. Inspiring, poetic, and timeless.
January 3, 2018
I do wish that the biography/intro went a little more in depth, because I would have loved that, but it had all the important stuff. This book is cute and inspiring you can read it in 5 minutes or contemplate it all day long, because of his quotes. will definitely reread it some day when I need a bit of encouragement.
November 22, 2019
I remember watching Bob Ross on PBS. What a remarkable guy. I look forward to meeting him.
"...that may be the true joy of painting, when you share it with other people. I really believe that's the true joy."
"Friends are the most important commodity in the world. Even a tree needs a friend."
"We put some dark in, only so our light will show. You have to have dark in order to show light."
"Sometimes you learn more from your mistakes than you do from your masterpieces."
"There's an artist hidden at the bottom of every single one of us."
"Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you're willing to practice, you can do."
"Trees cover up a multitude of sins."
"This is not something you should labor over or worry about. If painting does nothing else, it should make you happy."
"In nature, dead trees are just as normal as live trees."
"If it's not what you want, stop and change it. Don't just keep going and expect it will get better."
"Just beat the devil out of that old brush. It's a good way of taking out all your frustrations and hostilities and all that."
"That's when you experience joy--when you have no fear."
"...it is up to you to make friends with the little rascals."
"We spend so much of our life looking but never seeing."
"Always do the thing, in your mind, that's farthest away first. Then work forward, forward, forward."
"Every day is a good day when you paint."
"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb, because that's where the fruit is."
"Isn't it great to do something you can't fail at?"
"...that may be the true joy of painting, when you share it with other people. I really believe that's the true joy."
"Friends are the most important commodity in the world. Even a tree needs a friend."
"We put some dark in, only so our light will show. You have to have dark in order to show light."
"Sometimes you learn more from your mistakes than you do from your masterpieces."
"There's an artist hidden at the bottom of every single one of us."
"Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you're willing to practice, you can do."
"Trees cover up a multitude of sins."
"This is not something you should labor over or worry about. If painting does nothing else, it should make you happy."
"In nature, dead trees are just as normal as live trees."
"If it's not what you want, stop and change it. Don't just keep going and expect it will get better."
"Just beat the devil out of that old brush. It's a good way of taking out all your frustrations and hostilities and all that."
"That's when you experience joy--when you have no fear."
"...it is up to you to make friends with the little rascals."
"We spend so much of our life looking but never seeing."
"Always do the thing, in your mind, that's farthest away first. Then work forward, forward, forward."
"Every day is a good day when you paint."
"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb, because that's where the fruit is."
"Isn't it great to do something you can't fail at?"
August 9, 2021
Great book
Excellent paintings and quotes. Worth having on the table or the bookshelf. Bob Ross was a good man worth learning about.
Excellent paintings and quotes. Worth having on the table or the bookshelf. Bob Ross was a good man worth learning about.
January 12, 2020
We have an amateur artist in the family who really enjoyed Bob Ross's show, and I read this book thinking of her - the funny, gentle, happy little sayings he had while painting.
Not all these sayings make logical sense. Many of them I can think of instances where they're not true, and usually inconsistency and statements with ramifications that aren't considered bother me more. Sigh ... sometimes maybe that's not everything.
For example, "If what you're doing doesn't make you happy, you're doing the wrong thing." Sometimes that might be true, but sometimes doing the right thing can be a very difficult thing that we have to persevere through. Parenting can be that way. Or any dedication to a hard, but worthwhile goal.
Or, "The secret to doing anything is believing that you can do it. Anything that you believe you can do strong enough, you can do. Anything. As long as you believe." Again, sometimes that's true, and sometimes it's not. Confidence can truly help at times, and lack of confidence can truly undermine our own efforts. BUT ... there are some things that we cannot do no matter how positively we think about them. The easy examples - we cannot fly like birds without the aid of machinery. Not every child who dreams of becoming a sports star has the talent and dedication to get there. There are many who are over-confident and yet cannot attain that level of play. There has to be some understanding of realism. The harder examples: we cannot always overcome every disease and difficulty, even with the power of positive thinking.
My favorite quotes:
"You know me, I think there ought to be a big old tree right there. And let's give him a friend. Everybody needs a friend." That one makes me smile. Much of this book makes me smile, which is why I'm rating this book as highly as I am. As I said, logical sense does not count for everything.
"The very fact that you're aware of suffering is enough reason to be overjoyed that you're alive and can experience it." I've thought that before, with the gentle aching after a good tennis match, or yard work, or a workout, and I think that it's often true with the minor pains of life. But I think that with the sharper, more intense pains ... eh ... I don't know.
"That's when you experience joy - when you have no fear." I've thought that before, too, that it is hard, but not impossible, to experience joy while frightened. I suppose adrenaline junkies might manage it. Most of us, however, have a harder time experiencing joy while afraid. I was most recently reminded of that, reading this book, this quote, while flying on a plane during turbulence. I hate to fly any time, even during good circumstances, and these were not good circumstances, so it is fair to say that I was afraid, and that I was not ... entirely joyful.
I thought of that concept a lot while reading the gospel of John some years ago, with all the references to joy in it, and the joy described in it. Jesus had so much joy in that account - and He wasn't afraid of storms or conflicts or diseases. When He walked on water during a storm, I imagined Him enjoying the wildness of His creation that way. Gethsemane and Calvary might be a different situation, but He faced it "for the joy set before Him" (Hebrews 12:2)
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2, NIV
Not all these sayings make logical sense. Many of them I can think of instances where they're not true, and usually inconsistency and statements with ramifications that aren't considered bother me more. Sigh ... sometimes maybe that's not everything.
For example, "If what you're doing doesn't make you happy, you're doing the wrong thing." Sometimes that might be true, but sometimes doing the right thing can be a very difficult thing that we have to persevere through. Parenting can be that way. Or any dedication to a hard, but worthwhile goal.
Or, "The secret to doing anything is believing that you can do it. Anything that you believe you can do strong enough, you can do. Anything. As long as you believe." Again, sometimes that's true, and sometimes it's not. Confidence can truly help at times, and lack of confidence can truly undermine our own efforts. BUT ... there are some things that we cannot do no matter how positively we think about them. The easy examples - we cannot fly like birds without the aid of machinery. Not every child who dreams of becoming a sports star has the talent and dedication to get there. There are many who are over-confident and yet cannot attain that level of play. There has to be some understanding of realism. The harder examples: we cannot always overcome every disease and difficulty, even with the power of positive thinking.
My favorite quotes:
"You know me, I think there ought to be a big old tree right there. And let's give him a friend. Everybody needs a friend." That one makes me smile. Much of this book makes me smile, which is why I'm rating this book as highly as I am. As I said, logical sense does not count for everything.
"The very fact that you're aware of suffering is enough reason to be overjoyed that you're alive and can experience it." I've thought that before, with the gentle aching after a good tennis match, or yard work, or a workout, and I think that it's often true with the minor pains of life. But I think that with the sharper, more intense pains ... eh ... I don't know.
"That's when you experience joy - when you have no fear." I've thought that before, too, that it is hard, but not impossible, to experience joy while frightened. I suppose adrenaline junkies might manage it. Most of us, however, have a harder time experiencing joy while afraid. I was most recently reminded of that, reading this book, this quote, while flying on a plane during turbulence. I hate to fly any time, even during good circumstances, and these were not good circumstances, so it is fair to say that I was afraid, and that I was not ... entirely joyful.
I thought of that concept a lot while reading the gospel of John some years ago, with all the references to joy in it, and the joy described in it. Jesus had so much joy in that account - and He wasn't afraid of storms or conflicts or diseases. When He walked on water during a storm, I imagined Him enjoying the wildness of His creation that way. Gethsemane and Calvary might be a different situation, but He faced it "for the joy set before Him" (Hebrews 12:2)
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2, NIV
August 11, 2019
So...I had a little time to kill this afternoon and I could think of no better way than to spend it at my favorite bookstore B&N (though not my favorite location: Cumberland Rocks!!). I was strolling through the store and I happened to come across this book and I thought, looks interesting. So I picked up this little book and to my delight it was very insightful. I thought this was a book that is currently riding the "Bob Ross" popularity train, but it stands alone as an interesting look at the artist.
This book is part biography part inspirational self-care book. The introduction of the book gives us an overview of the artist's life and how he got his start creating works of art. A fascinating look at a man that was truly passionate about what he did and how surprisingly, it is reaching a new generation of fans.
This book is part biography part inspirational self-care book. The introduction of the book gives us an overview of the artist's life and how he got his start creating works of art. A fascinating look at a man that was truly passionate about what he did and how surprisingly, it is reaching a new generation of fans.
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January 4, 2020Happy Little Accidents: the Wit and Wisdom of Bob Ross is a loving and joyful (as you would expect) collection of insights from Bob Ross -- paired with classic paintings from the bodhisattva.
Here are a few favorites:
Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you're willing to practice, you can do.
Exercising the imagination, experimenting with talents, being creative . . . these things, to me, are truly the windows to your soul.
The very fact that you're aware of suffering is enough reason to be overjoyed that you're alive and can experience it.
You'll never believe what you can do until you get in there and try it.
Here are a few favorites:
Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you're willing to practice, you can do.
Exercising the imagination, experimenting with talents, being creative . . . these things, to me, are truly the windows to your soul.
The very fact that you're aware of suffering is enough reason to be overjoyed that you're alive and can experience it.
You'll never believe what you can do until you get in there and try it.
June 17, 2017
A very quick read. It's more a picture book and then on the other page it has a quote from him and his shows. From smack the devil out of the paintbrush to happy little trees, all your favorite sayings are in this book. There are some very breathtaking paintings of his as well, and some of them play directly off of the quote that is provided.
I would highly suggest this book to any Bob Ross fan, as it would make a great coffee table book, or even to use it as a quote a day and just leave the book open to that day's page and quote.
I would highly suggest this book to any Bob Ross fan, as it would make a great coffee table book, or even to use it as a quote a day and just leave the book open to that day's page and quote.
October 20, 2018
I remember channel surfing in the 80's and coming across the Joy of Painting show with Bob Ross and I felt like I couldn't change the channel. He was so mesmerizing and that Calm Voice was so relaxing. This little book is full of his art and hit little witty sayings and it takes me back to my early teenage years when I tuned in to see what happy little accident would come about in that show. This book is an extremely quick read but I'll hold onto it for a long time, it's priceless in my opinion.
July 15, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I admit I giggled a bit when I received it. I remember 30 some years ago when my kids were little and watched Mr Rogers on PBS. Often we'd catch a glimpse of Bob and his painting instruction. I giggled a bit then, too. But reading this book made me realize he was more than painting, he was a philosopher! I enjoyed this little book and some of his quotes made me laugh with so many others that are just so too true.
February 2, 2020
Yay for Bob Ross, featuring over 30 quotes from the famous author, a brief bio of Bob Ross, and why he was the way he was:
Example: His love of mountain landscapes despite being from Florida, his compassion/empathy due to a broken home and a military background, and his kindness and the proof that art can make you happy!
Great read for all seeking inspiration, appreciation of Art, or appreciation of the thousands of works produced by Ross, only a handful captured here.
Example: His love of mountain landscapes despite being from Florida, his compassion/empathy due to a broken home and a military background, and his kindness and the proof that art can make you happy!
Great read for all seeking inspiration, appreciation of Art, or appreciation of the thousands of works produced by Ross, only a handful captured here.
April 1, 2021
I have gained new respect for Bob Ross after reading a book of his quotes gathered by Michelle Witt. The short biography at the front of the book is followed by Ross’ paintings accompanied by his quotes. Most of them are very Zen-like and were reflective as well as calming. We read a quote each day starting in January 2021. It only took a few months to complete, but was a bright spot in the continuing stress-filled pandemic.
June 19, 2017
This is, admittedly, a niche read. I enjoy quotations and am of the age to remember Mr. Ross's work, which meant this book had appeal for me. Ross was a man of passion and experience and this book does illustrate that very well. I would recommend it to anyone who knows his work and what he meant to people of a certain age and background.
December 18, 2017
Full disclosure here,
I mostly looked at Bob's beautiful art work than I did any reading...
Though to be fair the reading portion is mostly quotes and Bob's gentle way of telling you how you can maybe paint. (It never turns out that way but hey a girl can dream right?) It's of course beautiful and made me want to grab the canvas in my room and get to work.
I mostly looked at Bob's beautiful art work than I did any reading...
Though to be fair the reading portion is mostly quotes and Bob's gentle way of telling you how you can maybe paint. (It never turns out that way but hey a girl can dream right?) It's of course beautiful and made me want to grab the canvas in my room and get to work.
April 7, 2018
A simple but lovely little book for fans of Ross. Beautiful pictures of his paintings and inspiring quotes with surprising depth. It brought me right back to my childhood, as many a Saturday was spent with my dad watching Ross on television, painting and imparting his particular brand of wisdom and whimsy.
July 17, 2018
"You'll never believe what you can do until you get in there and try it."
4/5 stars
Totally counting this as a part of my reading challenge because I'm way behind and we all need a little Bob Ross in our lives! This is a delightful little book, which manages to be as calming as the great Bob Ross himself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews