Bob Ross Adventure

Saturday was our class with the Bob Ross certified instructor.

We had a ball. There were only 8 of us in the class, which was perfect.

It was so much better than either of us thought it could be.

We sucked but we knew that going in.

It was an hour and 5 minutes away. We were so not feeling it in the morning. We have gotten spoiled in retirement and not moving early in the morning anymore is our new M.O. But we hustled our way out of here and got there with 12 minutes to spare.

The instructor was so patient and kind. Her name was Kim. 

Kim had a good sense of humor and thank God!

She was taught by Bob Ross himself.

All the other 'classmates' were fun and helpful as well.

We were the only 2 who had never been to a class before and boy it showed.

The couple across the aisle from us had done a class once and they were pretty good.

The man in front of me was so good it was intimidating.  

We got there and the tables were set up for 2 per table.

There were names on the table so Rick and I knew where to sit.

We each got an easel for our canvas. We had small canvases of 12 x 16.

But it felt huge when you had to put paint on it and make it look like something.

By each easel were our tools. In the middle was a bucket with paint thinner in it and a lid. She told us we'd learn when to use it. We took her word for it.

We were told to bring a roll of paper towels and we saw very quickly why that was needed.

If I didn't understand how the hell that cloud or fence should appear I'd just ask and she'd come by and show me why I wasn't getting the result. Maybe I was holding the knife incorrectly or using the flat end of the brush, not the tip.  Aah!

She told us where to begin and the colors to use. We had a palette in front of each station so we did not have to find the colors. She would say we are going to use this brush and why, then show us. Then we did it.

We all did as told, except Rick. Oh my Ricky went rogue as always.

Rick's painting was more free form shall we say, because he couldn't take directions. (what's new) I looked over at him at one point and said, "Where are your clouds she just asked us to make?"

"Oh, it's a cloudy day"

Hey Rick, why is your roof a different color than what she told us to do? 

"Because it's more weathered."

At one point he removed his lower roof and who the hell knows how he did that.

It was a big oops.

Kim, the ever-patient instructor, walked by and asked Rick what happened to his lower roof. All the while laughing of course.

Rick told her his barn caught fire.  

That made the class laugh. Oh, he kept them in stitches.

Kim fixed it as best she could and rebuilt his lower roof for him.

I said, "Ooh look at you, teacher's pet"  

She wasn't helping me but for some reason, she was all over Rick. 

She was always by him. I told him it was because he was so awful and he said like a 9 yr old, "No it wasn't" and I'd just shake my head at the fool and laugh.

Kim was very southern and at times I just found it difficult to understand her. 

I leaned over to Rick and asked what she said and his reply was, "The hell if I know"

So I asked her to repeat what she just said and she said, "Oh it's my accent isn't it?" I said I was sorry but it was the accent.  Then another chimed in that he too didn't get that sentence. She laughed and said okay let me try that again. We got it. 

I was thrilled that it didn't offend her and I was also glad it wasn't just me. 

I mean there were easy differences like yella instead of yellow. But there were times when she could have been speaking French. I'm glad she had a good attitude about it. She told us we'd all get the accent after living here for a while. She's probably right. 

I am a type A and I follow instructions. If I'm told to use white, well damn it, I use white. Rick is just the opposite. Being a type A it makes my head explode when he goes rogue. He knows that too and just finds me funny.  He is someone who only does what he's told to a certain degree and then he's in his own world. I have always called it Ricky's world. To those reading this who know him you know this to be true.

He was like this before the stroke just so you know.

At one point I leaned over and said something to him about doing the opposite of what was told. (to use a knife and he used a brush) 

He said, "Kim my tablemate is a pain in the ass can you move her please?"  

Well, that got them going. Honestly this man. 

I did laugh when the man in front of me whipped his head around to look at me as if he was worried I was upset that Rick spoke of me like that. Nope, this is our way. I find him funny, thank God. I know he isn't saying it to be hurtful or mean. Besides, he's laughing while he says it. Big difference.

The class was long. 10:30a - 3:30 with a 30-minute lunch break.

My ADD partner got antsy at the 2p mark. I felt it flew by until around 2p. I could have been done by 2p but our painting wouldn't have been complete. I'm not sure ours are even complete now. I see all my errors. But I remember all the laughs and fun. Such nice people.A contractor and his wife, a professor, a clergy, a stay-at-home mom, and a female farmer. An eclectic bunch who were all willing to help one another. All shared stories and laughter. Couldn't ask for a better day and one of our best in a very long time.

We had a ball. I found it relaxing and didn't even care that I sucked. 

We will be doing this again in the fall.

All her classes from now through August are of the same landscape. 

So come fall we will have another we will go back. It was worth the money.

We'd pay far more for just a dinner out. ($40 pp + $20 for easel and paints unless you wish to bring your own)

I believe this was good occupational therapy for Rick (it was suggested in rehab he does such things) For me it just solidified that I have no talent but I did enjoy myself and that was all I needed.  I didn't go into this thinking it would look like her painting in front of us. I was thrilled I got clouds for heaven's sake.

Now don't judge. You may giggle.