Bob Ross Finishing Spray

When I complete one of my Bob Ross style paintings, whether it be for display, sale, or just to hang in my home, I spray it with the Bob Ross Finishing Varnish. I do it right after I complete the painting and while it's still wet. However, you should NOT use other varnishes on your paintings this way. If you do want to put a protective varnish over your painting and don't want to use the Bob Ross Brand, you have a couple of options. The first is Retouch or Damar Varnish. You can safely spray this on your painting once it's been dry to the touch for over a month. Waiting longer is better, but you should be ok. FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS!!! The next option is to wait a year after you've completed the painting and brush or spray on a final gloss or matte varnish. Oil paintings take 6 months to a year to completely dry....even though they may feel dry to the touch. Try to think of oil paintings drying as being a chemical process...not evaporation. Again, read the labels and feel free to ask me if you have any questions. Happy Painting!!!!

Crew Cut

This is Crew Cut, one of the horses we recently sold this summer. A horse is a funny animal. They're huge and could trample you easily, but they're by nature a "flight" animal. So the key is to earn their trust. I had the pleasure of earning this guys trust this summer and to my astonishment, found he loved being stalled. He will no doubt end up in one of my paintings, but I wanted to show him off a bit here. I'm currently working with his younger brother right now. Two totally different personalities, but that's what makes it interesting.

Glacier Lake Class

Well, another class finished with some fantastic results!! Here's some photos of a few of the students. Way to go everyone!

Family Reunions

I just had to share this "self-portrait" taken by my lovely little niece. She's our resident photographer. We had a family reunion for my Mom's side of the family and wow was it hot that day! That of course didn't stop this littly sweety from teaching her Aunt Kim some frisby moves.

Get the Book!!

So, you've taken one of my classes...or another class from a Certified Ross Instructor and you want to try a painting on your own. Well...GO FOR IT!! Once you've taken the class, much of the technique that is skipped over in the book, you get at the class. Try it! You can always, re-use your canvas if you don't like the results the first time. (Ask me if you need some advice on how to do that.) Believe me, practice will make this technique work for you. Don't be afraid to go for it!

I am so PROUD of my last class!!!

We did a seascape this past Saturday. Seascapes, even the Bob Ross ones, can be very difficult. Everyone did fantastic! I'm so proud!!! Thanks so much everyone in both the afternoon and morning class. I had such fun! Keep on painting!

We're Over Half Way Thru 2010 !!!

I can't believe that we're already into the first week of August! I feel like I just got back from Florida a few weeks ago. I'm blessed to be able to spend time down in Naples Florida (where this photo of Tom was taken) during the winter months. I love my Kentucky home, but I've gained such an appreciation for the warm climates, beautiful gardens, and lovely people of Naples. Many of my paintings take inspiration from this beautiful area.