I grew up as an Air Force brat, with a dad who served proudly in the United States Air Force. I was born overseas, and our family moved every couple of years while I was in school. Being the new girl so often wasn’t always easy—I was friendly, but sometimes it felt hard to fit in. Art became my constant companion. It was how I entertained myself, expressed what I couldn’t put into words, and found comfort in all that change.
As a teenager, I had a drafting and drawing table in my room and could spend hours sketching and experimenting with pencils and pens. When I went to college, I chose art as my major for the first two years, but eventually shifted into marketing and business. Still, art was always in my heart—it remained my creative refuge, even when my career took a different path.
Like so many others, I grew up watching Bob Ross on TV. His gentle voice, calm demeanor, and message that “there are no mistakes, only happy accidents” resonated deeply with me. But it wasn’t until the 2020 lockdowns that I decided to give his Wet-on-Wet® oil painting technique a try. I started experimenting at home, and what began as a hobby quickly became a source of peace and joy during uncertain times.
In 2021, I took my first hobby class with a Certified Ross Instructor. That experience lit a spark that I couldn’t ignore. By 2024, I decided to take the next step and earn my own certification. It was a three-week journey that changed everything for me—the first week at the Bob Ross Experience in Muncie, Indiana, at the Minnetrista, and the following two weeks at the Bob Ross Art Workshop and Gallery in Florida. It was intense, immersive, and incredibly inspiring.
Becoming a Certified Ross Instructor® (CRI) has truly changed my life. It challenged me to grow creatively, to take risks, and to see the world through a more joyful, patient lens. Teaching others this method—helping them find their own confidence and creativity—has been one of the greatest rewards of my life. Every class I teach brings new faces, each with their own reasons for being there. Some come to relive memories of watching Bob on TV. Others just want a creative escape or to try something completely new. But we all share one thing in common: we’re enjoying the journey together.
I’m endlessly grateful that I get to do this—helping others discover that painting isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence, joy, and self-expression. Watching a student light up when they finish their first mountain or tree reminds me why I started in the first place.
For me, art began as a quiet refuge—and now, it’s a way to connect, inspire, and share happiness with others. Teaching Bob Ross® classes didn’t just change my art—it changed my life.
I hope it changes yours.