The soft halo of hair disport by Bob Ross was so absolutely in melodic line with his gentle theatrical role that it almost seemed too good to be honest — because , in fact , it was .
The story behind the hair is n’t one of a style choice or contrivance woolgather up by tv set execs . That was not the Bob Ross way . It has to do with two things we all know something about : saving money and personal stigmatization .
Back in the other ‘ 80s , Ross was embarking on his new career as a Felis concolor and instructor after serving in the U.S. Air Force for 20 age . His mentor , Bill Alexander , was gear up to go to sleep and inquire Ross to take over his classes . Ross agreed , and set out to tour the country on his own in a motor home , go and teaching mass the Alexander “ wet - on - wet ” technique . He told his wife Jane that he ’d strain it out for one year , and if he did n’t make enough money , he would return to Alaska .
Success did n’t total easy — or at all — during his prison term on the route . As a way of penny - pinching , Ross decide to hold open money on haircuts by amaze his locks permed . That canny , if irregular , method of make unnecessary probably would n’t have stand the run of fourth dimension if it were n’t for an go forth brand in need of some merchandise .
“ When we got a line of pigment and brushes , we put his moving picture on , ” Bob Ross Company Centennial State - founder Annette Kowalski order me . “ The logo is a picture of Bob with that hairsbreadth , so he could never get it slue . He was n’t always happy about that . ”
Still , Ross was no patsy and kept the ‘ fro around because he too knew that it was full for business . He would go on to assert his trademark shaggy-haired hairstyle for the rest of his living . Today , it ’s hard to imagine Ross drift at all from his signature simple button - up and well - maintained gyre , but a look back on episodes ofThe Joy of Paintingdoes reveal somesmall , amusingdeviations .
Even more risible : A look at the man before all the whisker , via Uproxx :
Uproxx / Imgur
