(Butler, PA) A Center Township art studio owner seeking certification to instruct painting classes that use techniques practiced by a former public television host will teach five Butler County Community College noncredit Lifelong Learning classes debuting this spring.
Christine Steele earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and said she has taught nearly 80 students in BC3 Lifelong Learning classes since 2019. She attended this month the first of three 40-hour Landscape Teacher Certification seminars at the Bob Ross Art Workshop and Gallery in New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
Ross was the host of a “Joy of Painting” show for 11 years on public television through 1994. He passed away in 1995 at age 52.
There are 21 instructors in Pennsylvania certified to teach Bob Ross landscape, floral, wildlife or portrait methods, according to Joan Kowalski, president, Bob Ross Inc.
Steele, owner of Steele’s Brushes and Ceramics, 1631 N. Main St. Ext., will attend two additional upcoming seminars required to earn Certified Ross Instructor certification in landscape.
“There’s just something about landscapes. You can sit back as you are creating it, and envision you are there relaxing, whether it’s a mountain or a stream. It’s very nice to be able to escape."
“A way for your mind to calm”
Steele said she will use Bob Ross techniques she has learned when teaching a new BC3 Lifelong Learning class named “BOHO Minimalist Landscape” on March 22 at BC3 @ Cranberry in Cranberry Township.
“It’s exciting for me to see what people can create,” Steele said. “There’s just something about landscapes. You can sit back as you are creating it, and envision you are there relaxing, whether it’s a mountain or a stream. It’s very nice to be able to escape. And art is such a way for your mind to calm.”
Ross’ techniques included the use of a palette knife, wet-on-wet paint applications and distinct paintbrush rotations, Steele said.
“One of the things that’s amazing is the mountains he created in his paintings,” Steele said. “For me, as someone who went to art school, I’m looking at those and trying to figure out how he manipulated the grooves of the mountain. And it’s amazing that he used a knife and allowed the canvas to grab the paint.”
Steele in her studio uses acrylic paint which, she said, “once you lay it down, it’s difficult to take off. With the wet-on-wet with specially formulated Bob Ross oil paints, if you don’t like something, you can scrape it up and then blend it back in and redo it.”
She also became accustomed to using larger paintbrushes at the Bob Ross Art Workshop and Gallery.
“Crazy things with brushes”
“(Ross) did crazy things with brushes,” Steele said. “There were really incredible ways in which he laid down the paint. He would take a regular paint brush, like you would use for a wall, and blend things together and make it look effortless.
“There’s a way to hold a larger brush to make sure its technique plays a big part as well. That’s one of the things I’m excited to bring to the classes, being able to have control and not working harder than the brush.”
Steele will also teach new BC3 Lifelong Learning classes named “Paint Your Favorite Pet” on Feb. 16 and “Mother and Other Flowers Paint Along” on May 13 at her art studio; “Pour Painting Beach Retreat” on April 13 at BC3 @ Cranberry; and “Daisy Bee Painted Canvas” on April 26 on BC3’s main campus.
Each one-session class lasts three hours. The cost of tuition and materials ranges from $25 to $44.
More than 120 classes are scheduled through June 26, said Paul Lucas, director of BC3’s Lifelong Learning. Nearly 70 are new this spring, many last one session and the cost of many begins at $25, Lucas said.
Topics of classes include computers and software; culinary arts; health, wellness and self-care; language and travel; outdoor adventure; personal and professional development; and woodworking.
BC3’s 2022 Lifelong Learning classes filled nearly 1,700 seats in Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties and online, Lucas said.
Among BC3’s new spring 2023 Lifelong Learning classes are “Seniors Mingle in the Kitchen” on Feb. 11 on BC3’s main campus, in which those age 55 or older can create and share chocolate treats; and “Singles Mingle: Royal Icing Valentine’s Day Cookie Celebration” on Feb. 14 on BC3’s main campus. Singles who attend can develop decorating skills using royal icing.
“Veterans Suicide: Suicide Prevention is Everybody’s Business” is among 10 BC3 Lifelong Learning classes scheduled to be held online this spring, Lucas said. The three-hour class will be held at 6 p.m. April 4. The free class, offered by BC3’s Lifelong Learning since September 2020, will also be held in person at 6 p.m. March 30 at BC3 @ Cranberry.
BC3’s Lifelong Learning classes are for those ages 18 or older unless otherwise noted, Lucas said.
For more information or to register, visit bc3.edu/lifelong.
