VIVIAN RIDGE AND BOB ROSS: A STEP BY STEP LIFE ACCOUNT

Vivian ridge

In the United States of America, Vivian Ridge was a highly regarded artist who had a prosperous career, she became famous all over the world because she was the first wife of the great American painter Bob Ross. As an artist, Bob Ross had three marriages throughout the course of his life, and he had a deep appreciation for the emotion of love, which is precisely what his paintings conveyed.

Nevertheless, Vivian Ridge was his very first wife, and the two of them had a deep love for one another. The year 1965 marked the year that the artist couple tied the knot. They finally decided to go their separate ways and file for divorce after a beautiful twelve years of marriage. In the most endearing ways possible, Vivian would express her love and affection for her.

Her entire life, she has been an artist, and she has always had a deep appreciation for art, regardless of its form or medium. Unfortunately, the artist departed away in 2018, far too young, and the creative sector suffered a significant loss as a result of this sudden and unexpected death.

An Account of the Life of Vivian Ridge

On July 2, 1946, Vivian Ridge was born in Wake Forest, which is located in the state of North Carolina. At the tender age of twelve, she ventured into the world of painting as a hobby. Following her graduation from Wake Forest University with a degree in art history, she became acquainted with Bob Ross and subsequent to that, they began collaborating on the production of the exhibition. It didn’t take long for the show to become popular, and it kept airing for a while. Vivian was well-known for her kind and gentle attitude, as well as her stunning paintings, which frequently depicted joyful vistas from around the natural world.

The Marriage to Bob Ross

Bob Ross and Vivian Ridge first became acquainted with one another in 1961, when they were both employed at WQED-TV in Pittsburgh. In addition to being an artist on the creative staff, Vivian was the chief of production for the company. In spite of the fact that they came from different histories, the two were able to connect immediately and began dating not long after they had their first encounter. After a short period of time, they came to the conclusion that they desired to spend the rest of their lives united.

Their wedding took place in 1967, and a few years later, they relocated to New York City. After that, the Rosses were blessed with a peaceful marriage and three children: Jennifer, Christopher, and Sarah. All of their children share their parents’ passion for music and the arts. Throughout the entirety of her husband’s lengthy career, Vivian never stopped showing her support for him, even going so far as to occasionally draw or paint during programs. The Rosses relocated to Pennsylvania, yet they maintained a presence in the public sphere until Bob’s passing in 2006 at the age of 81.

The divorce between Ross and Vivian took place in 1977, and it was widely assumed that Ross’ liaison with another lady was the cause of the breakup. In the same year that he formalized his divorce from his ex-wife Vivian, the painter gradually moved on from his broken relationship with her and married Jane Ross. After a marriage that lasted for fifteen years, Jane passed away from cancer in 1992. During that time period, the couple did not have any children together.

Following an additional three-year period of waiting, Ross entered into matrimony with Lynda Brown. Upon Ross’s departure on July 4, 1995, Lynda found herself bereft of her partner, thus entering into a state of widowhood.

Following the demise of Ross in 1995, Ridge persisted in engaging with the public and unveiling new works of art. The year 2013 marked the publication of her autobiography, titled Lessons From a Painter: My Life with Bob Ross, which was subsequently released as a television movie.

Vivian Ridge was a significant figure in the early stages of the Internet’s development. One of the pioneers in the creation of a website, she was instrumental in laying the groundwork for others to follow in her footsteps. In addition to that, she was a consultant to President Clinton on matters pertaining to transactions conducted online. Following a protracted struggle against cancer, Ridge lost her battle with the disease on May 3, 2018, at the age of 79.

A Brief Overview of Bob Ross’s Biography

Robert Norman Ross was an American landscape painter who gained the most notoriety owing to his program on the Public Broadcasting Service called The Joy of Painting. Ross, who was born in Daytona, Florida, on October 29, 1942, worked as a commercial illustrator for a while before deciding to make painting his full-time occupation in the early 1970s. His work on The Joy of Painting, which was shown on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) from 1984 to 1994, garnered him significant accolades. Ross’s parents were employed in the service sector; Jack was a carpenter, while Ollie held a position as a waitress.

Originating from Orlando, Florida, Ross did not fulfill the requirements of the ninth grade in his secondary education. Bob was working as a carpenter with his father when he was younger, and he was involved in an accident that resulted in the loss of a portion of his left index finger. However, this didn’t prevent him from painting in the future.

Ross joined the United States Air Force in 1961 and remained a member of the service for the subsequent twenty years during his time there. However, he was unable to learn how to become a pilot or operate airplanes due to his height, which was 6 feet 2 inches, and his feet were flat. On the other hand, he was employed as a medical records technician who worked behind a desk.

Throughout his period of service, he encountered the breathtaking vistas of snow-capped mountains, which profoundly resonated with him, given his inherent appreciation for the beauty of nature and its remarkable landscapes. He then began to focus his attention on the painting, with the intention of cherishing it even more in the future. Upon attaining the rank of first sergeant, Ross characterized himself as the individual who reprimanded anyone for tardiness, the one who enforced cleanliness in the latrine, and the person who ensured that beds were properly made.

This position earned him the moniker “Break ‘Em Up Bobby,” yet he had a strong aversion to the role of a disciplinarian and made a personal commitment to adopt a more compassionate approach following his departure from the military.

Ross transitioned into an artist during a painting class at a U.S.O. club, inspired by his affection for the Alaskan highlands while serving in the Air Force. He enrolled in art classes due to his passion for them.

While Ross was serving in the Air Force, he supported himself by selling gold-panning tin landscapes at a pub. According to the Orlando Sentinel, this caused Ross to learn how to paint more quickly. Ross recalled eliminating two individuals while consuming his sandwich.

Ross viewed William Alexander’s 1975 show The Magic of Oil Painting when he was serving in the military, and he immediately began practicing his hands on painting in accordance with the directions that were presented during the video. “Wet-on-wet” painting, often known as “alla prima,” was Alexander’s preferred style. After he had perfected the method, he began selling his artwork. He painted quickly by applying layers of oil paint without waiting for them to dry.

According to the Sentinel, Ross gradually became more successful as a painter than he was in the military. In 1981, he took his retirement from the Air Force, where he had served as a master sergeant. Over the course of his lifetime, Ross is said to have painted thirty thousand paintings.

Death

So that he could devote more attention to his health, Ross decided to discontinue filming The Joy of Painting” in the year 1994. When he was in his forties, he had a long history of smoking cigarettes and had to deal with a number of health issues, including two heart attacks and two tumors.

For as long as he could remember, he had always been prepared to die at a young age. A particularly aggressive form of lymphoma was the cause of Ross’s death on July 4, 1995, when he was 52 years old. Indeed, it was the second factor that led to his demise. He was able to die away peacefully in the environment of his home in Orlando. Charity and Public Broadcasting Service received the majority of his original oil paintings.

The idea of Ross’s artwork being used for commercial purposes was met with opposition. It is for this reason that the majority of his works were never sold at auction in recognized houses. A total of about $10,000 was paid for each of them. Prior to Ross’s passing, there were allegations suggesting that the Kowalskis sought to pressure him into relinquishing specific inheritance rights. Despite Ross bequeathing his assets and likeness rights to his family while excluding the Kowalskis from his will, the Kowalskis managed to gain control of the company following their success in several legal cases.

The Daily Beast reports that once Annette and Walt retired in the 2000s, their daughter Joan took over responsibilities for the company. In order to make it possible for Ross’s name to be used in a more widespread manner, she reached a settlement with his family. In the beginning, employing Ross’s name in order to sell painting supplies was their primary concern.

LEGACY

Occasionally, individuals emerge who distinguish themselves from the masses, rendering their existence significantly impactful, and are remembered by the world even after their demise. Even after his death in 1995, Ross has continued to be a well-known figure in the eyes of the public. Moreover, he has amassed a new fan base on several digital media platforms, like YouTube and Twitch, among others. Bob was among those artists whose work continues to be esteemed and appreciated in the contemporary age. His work is still admired and popular. Posthumously, he has garnered recognition and admiration.

The well-known instructional television show that Ross hosted was a series in which he demonstrated the methods of oil painting landscapes. In each episode, a new painting was created using a methodical approach. Being able to maintain one’s popularity even after one has left this planet is a significant accomplishment for any being.