Those interested in art can learn to paint like Bob Ross at the Algonac Fred Quandt VFW Post 3901 on March 21.
During the event, participants will create an entire painting in just a few hours with instructor Ted Simpson, of Nature’s Brush Studio. All supplies will be included, and no previous experience is required. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“The painting is similar to a classic Bob Ross, with mountain backdrop, a lake in the foreground and, of course, some happy trees,” organizer Cindy Babisz said.
Babisz said the idea for the event came about after she attended a class in New Baltimore courtesy of the Anchor Bay Art Association.
“It was very nice,” she said. “The instructor provided step-by-step instruction and helped everyone walk away with a painting to be proud of. I was thrilled to learn the artist (and) instructor was available for future dates and locations. I was excited to set up a class to benefit our local VFW.”
Babisz said Simpson is a “certified Bob Ross instructor” and teaches one-on-one, in public, or private groups. He is also available for corporate events and fundraisers and travels all over southern Michigan.
“He is an excellent instructor,” she said. “He also sells official Bob Ross supplies through his website.”
Simpson has been studying and practicing various forms of art for many years, his website naturesbrushstudio.com states.
“I used to watch Bob, as well as Bill Alexander (Bob’s mentor in the wet-on-wet style), on PBS back in the ’80s and ’90s,” Simpson states in the About Me portion of his website. “He showed me that you don’t have to be blessed with the talent of Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci to create a beautiful work of art. Just a love of nature and a little bit of practice and you can create wonderful paintings that do not take weeks and months to create. A very effective and evocative painting can be created in just a short amount of time.”
“You can do this, too,” Simpson continues on the website. “Let me prove it to you. So many times I have heard variations on ‘I can’t draw a straight line,’ or ‘I can’t do that, I have zero talent for art.’ It’s just not true. Anyone with a dream in their heart and the courage to give something new a try can paint. Give me a chance to show you success, and you will learn ‘The Joy of Painting’ and will want to keep going.”
The cost of the class is $75 per student, and $5 of the registration fee will benefit the Algonac VFW. The event will be limited to 40 participants, and Babisz said she would like to see that many people attend.
“Forty people equals $200 for VFW,” she said.
There will also be a cash bar available through the VFW.
Fred Quandt VFW Post 3901 is located at 1006 Pointe Tremble Road in Algonac. For more information or to register for the class, call 248-622-9053 or visit naturesbrushstudio.com.
