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Two years ago, Barbie Sawyer accomplished a dream: She became a Certified Ross Instructor. After three consecutive weeks studying in the Florida-based program, she was ready to spread the techniques and loving attitudes made famous by Bob Ross and his show, “The Joy of Painting.” Lee Staats poses with a life-size cutout of Bob Ross at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Once a month, Sawyer sets up her Bob Ross brand easels, brushes, paints, and paint thinner inside a classroom in the Park Circle Community Building. She squeezes dollops of oil paint onto white palette boards, the tubes bearing Ross’ smiling face and signature perm.
"The Joy of Painting" aired from 1983 to 1994, but Bob Ross remains a pop culture icon. Famous for his soft-spoken remarks about self-patience and "happy accidents," Ross continues to capture the heart of the nation long after his passing in 1995. The 12 students attending this November class are greeted at the door by Sawyer’s enthusiasm and a life-size Bob Ross cutout with a birthday hat perched on its head.
Bob Ross’ birthday, October 29, fell between the last class and this one, prompting celebratory treats. Sawyer brought cupcakes and cracker snacks for the class. It’s a long workshop, usually around four hours.
'Big Nose Baddies' by North Charleston's newest artist in residence represents Black experiences "I hear a lot of happy brushes out here," she told the group, adding "Bob does amazing things with a 2-inch brush." Sawyer guides her students through the technique of each step, including how a paint knife can make the edge of a wave when applied to the canvas with pressure and a blob of "Titanium White". She stands at the front of the room, taking long interludes to weave through rows of desks to answer questions and refill paint.
Lora Montague paints during a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Lee Staats poses with a life-size cutout of Bob Ross at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Lee Staats paints at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
Barbie Sawyer talks with Jamie Nix at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Sawyer, who is certified in the Bob Ross style, teaches the class once a month.
“Happy little trees” are painted at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Mark Stanley, Kathryn Richburg, and Kay Kelly chat about their painting smocks and aprons at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Kay Kelly holds her canvas while she paints at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
Barbie Sawyer wears Bob Ross earrings at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Kathryn Richburg looks at her painting during a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Mark Stanley watches the instructor paint at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
Maria Evangelista chats with Lora Montague at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Evangelista has attended the class seven times and Montague has attended several as well.
“There’s kind of a community where we see each other every month,” said Evangelista. She praised Barbie Sawyer’s teaching as well. “You have to be kind to represent Bob.
She does a great job teaching us. For my birthday, I’m gonna have her teach my family.” Lora Montague paints at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Students paint at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
Barbie Sawyer instructs the class in how to use a fan brush at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Students paint horizon lines at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Barbie Sawyer and Lora Montague chat after a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
Maria Evangelista cleans her hands after helping clean up after a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Photos: Bob Ross' legacy continued by local art teacher in Park Circle Barbie Sawyer, a Bob Ross-certified instructor, teaches monthly art classes at the Park Circle Community Building.
Lora Montague paints during a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Lee Staats poses with a life-size cutout of Bob Ross at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Lee Staats paints at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
Barbie Sawyer talks with Jamie Nix at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Sawyer, who is certified in the Bob Ross style, teaches the class once a month.
“Happy little trees” are painted at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Mark Stanley, Kathryn Richburg, and Kay Kelly chat about their painting smocks and aprons at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Kay Kelly holds her canvas while she paints at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
Barbie Sawyer wears Bob Ross earrings at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Kathryn Richburg looks at her painting during a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Mark Stanley watches the instructor paint at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
Maria Evangelista chats with Lora Montague at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Evangelista has attended the class seven times and Montague has attended several as well.
“There’s kind of a community where we see each other every month,” said Evangelista. She praised Barbie Sawyer’s teaching as well. “You have to be kind to represent Bob.
She does a great job teaching us. For my birthday, I’m gonna have her teach my family.” Lora Montague paints at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Students paint at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
Barbie Sawyer instructs the class in how to use a fan brush at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Students paint horizon lines at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston. Barbie Sawyer and Lora Montague chat after a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
Maria Evangelista cleans her hands after helping clean up after a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston. Art galleries abound in downtown Charleston.
2 community centers offer 'art for all' off the Peninsula Maria Evangelista has enrolled in the class seven times, but she's not the only regular. Several other students in attendance have taken the class multiple times. "There’s kind of a community where we see each other every month," Evangelista said.
Bob Ross' name may draw in curious newcomers to the class, but Sawyer's teaching keeps them coming back. “Happy little trees” are painted at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov. 9, 2024, in North Charleston.
"There’s such a great energy about it and she’s just so patient with us," said attendee Jamie Nix. "Even if your painting looks like hell, she’s like, 'It looks so good.'" Sawyer is grateful to help others create.
"I have a hard time controlling how happy it makes me," Sawyer said. "If I’m gonna be involved in any legacy, I want it to be his," Sawyer concludes. "He wanted to share his love of this.
I get to do the same thing. I get to share his attitude." Lee Staats paints at a Bob Ross painting class at Park Circle Community Building, Nov.
9, 2024, in North Charleston..
