David Hockney, alive and well at 87 years old (2024) once said; “We always see with memory”. And this is true. The art or the seeing with memory are loosely associated techniques used to organize memory impressions, and assist in the combination and ‘invention’ of ideas in art. David Hockney is a master of expressing this in his work. His art represents moments in time that are captured in large scale.

Hockney is an English painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer and photographer. He attended the Bradford College of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. Hockney is an important contributor to the Pop art movement of the 1960s, he is considered one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century.

Hockney is an active arts advocate and his work is widely recognized, awarded and in fact he was even offered a knighthood (which he declined). In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him to the Order of Merit, an honor restricted to 24 members at any one time for their contributions to the arts and sciences. He is also highly praised for adopting technology, with artworks created on the iPad. Admittedly he didn’t take to the Apple device quickly. “It took me awhile to realize it’s quite a serious tool you can use,” he said.

Hockney Swimming Pool Paintings

In the 1960’w when Hockney emigrated to the United States he was known for his ‘swimming pool’ paintings and his most famous is A Bigger Splash, named after one of Hockney’s most famous swimming pool paintings from 1967.

This painting above, Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) is a large acrylic-on-canvas measuring 7 ft x 10 ft and was completed in May 1972. In 2018, his painting Portrait of an Artist (Pool With Two Figures) sold for $90.3 million, then the highest sale ever for a living artist.

David Hockney Trees and Landscapes

From pools to landscapes, Hockney painted a series of landscape paintings to express his love for the natural environment. Hockney composed his landscape paintings in acrylics over multiple canvases.

Hockney’s work continues to amaze, even into his senior years. His style evolves into new places as he ages and his work is not only an inspiration for the arts but for graphic design too.

As you get older, it gets a bit harder to keep the spontaneity in you, but I work at it.
-David Hockney

When I’m not in the studio, I feel my age, he says. But when I am in my studio, I feel 30.
-David Hockney

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In the 1940’s working as a graphic designer she was ‘discovered’ for her visual talent by Photographer Richard Avedon and encouraged towards a career in photography.

Her sophisticated style evolved and was bold, moody and elegantly expressed in fashion photography in Harper’s Bazzaar from the late 1940s to the early 1960s’. Her romantic images revolutionized fashion photography and her talent was highly sought after. Vanity Fair magazine singled her out as one of photography’s “grand masters”. ‘Full of mystery, sensuality, and expressionistic glamour, Bassman’s dramatic black and white photographs capture secret moments and dream memories’.

Bassman told The New York Times in a 1997 interview that she wanted to “take the hardness out of the photography” in order to make it less literal, which she accomplished using darkroom techniques such as bleaching, dodging and burning, and selective focus.

Over the ensuing 25 years, Bassman shot a wide variety of consumer ads–“everything that could be photographed,” she told The New York Times–but especially glamorous models for lingerie advertising. She frequently shot fashion spreads for Harper’s Bazaar as well.

In the 1970s, Bassman was discourage with the changing fashion industry and high-maintenance models, “I got sick of them,” she told The Times in 2009. “They were becoming superstars. They were not my kind of models. They were dictating rather than taking direction.” Disappointed with the profession she abruptly closed her studio, abandoned photography – destroyed her commercial negatives and dumped the editorial ones in binliners in a nook of her home. Instead, for private satisfaction, she photographed semi-abstracts.

For years her famous dramatic images stayed dormant. And then in the early 1990’s a friend of hers discovered her long lost negatives and encouraged her to pursue photography again. With the passage of years she was ready to redefine her photography work.

At 87 years old her interest in darkroom techniques transferred into a fascination for Photoshop and she embraced the digital and began creating interesting effects and variations of images she had captured years ago. Her reinterpretations, as she called them, found a new generation of admirers.

These reinterpretations were so admired that she returned to photograph the Paris collections for the New York Times magazine in 1996, and worked for Vogue until 2004. She had exhibitions across Europe and in the US. Books of her “painting with light” were published in 1997 (Lillian Bassman), 2009 (Lillian Bassman: Women) and this year (Lillian Bassman: Lingerie).

Lillian Bassman who passed away last year in February at age 94, is truly an inspirational artist. In an era where women were not recognized in the arts and design, she was. And as an 87-year old woman she embraced digital, learned technical skills and revitalized her work in a new way.

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Beatrix Potter born in London on July 28th 1866, was an English author, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist best known for her imaginative children’s books featuring animals such as those in The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Influenced by her father Rupert Potter a barrister who chose not to pursue his profession but his passion for art and photography, Beatrix was an imaginative and independent woman who was way ahead of her time in an era that kept women ‘properly’ inhibited.

“Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality.”

A fascination in the sciences and a love for animals and nature was an ongoing inspiration for Beatrix and her paintings and illustrations. At the age of eight Beatrix was already studying and recording the characteristics of a wide variety of animals, birds and insects in a home-made sketchbook.

This habit of spending time observing the form and structure of living things continued throughout her childhood and into adolescence. She observed and dissected animals in order to discover their precise physiognomy and anatomy. Her early passion for scientific investigation became integral to her method as an illustrator.

Educated by private governesses, which was common for wealthy families, Beatrix was able to pursue and excel in literature, science, history and private art lessons.

“I cannot rest, I must draw, however poor the result, and when I have a bad time come over me it is a stronger desire than ever.”

Through her 20s, Beatrix developed into a talented naturalist. She made studies of plants and animals at the Cromwell Road museums, and learned how to draw with her eye to a microscope. Her scientific studies were exceptional though not taken serious since she was a woman. However, her talent and capabilities would eventually earn her the respect she deserved in spite of discrimination.

Beatrix was also an accomplished still life painter and at age 15 produced remarkable paintings – though not widely known for this.

She painted for many years for her own amusement and story telling for family and friends before she decided to pursue commercial work.

“I hold that a strongly marked personality, can influence descendants for generations.”

Peter Rabbit the World’s Oldest Licensed Character

With a fondness for her rabbit character and story, she decided to turn it into a picture book. Determination to see the book published did not stop her even though the book was rejected by several publishers. She printed the book herself with 250 copies.

The “Tale of Peter Rabbit” was a great success with family and friends.

In 1902 Frederick Warne & Co. agreed to publish an initial quantity of 8,000 copies which sold out instantly and her career as a storyteller and illustrator was launched.

In 1903 Beatrix designed and patented a Peter Rabbit doll, making Peter Rabbit the world’s oldest licensed character.

Potter was also a canny businesswoman. As early as 1903 she made and patented a Peter Rabbit doll, the world’s oldest licensed character. It was followed by other “spin-off” merchandise over the years, including painting books, board games, wall-paper, figurines, baby blankets and china tea-sets. All were licensed by Frederick Warne & Co. and earned Potter an independent income as well as immense profits for her publisher.

With the proceeds from the book and a family inheritance she went on to purchase a farm, Hill Top Farm in Near Sawrey and over several decades purchased additional farms to preserve the unique hill country landscape.

Beatriz remained single until age 47 when she married William Heelis. They enjoyed a happy marriage of thirty years.

“Most people, after one success, are so cringingly afraid of doing less well that they rub all the edge off their subsequent work.”

Beatrix Potter published over twenty- three books and the best known are those written between 1902 and 1922.

She continued to write, illustrate and design spin-off merchandise based on her children’s books for Warne until the duties of land management and diminishing eyesight made it difficult to continue.

She died at age 77 of complications from pneumonia and heart disease. She left nearly all her property to the National Trust, including over 4,000 acres of land, sixteen farms, cottages and herds of cattle and Herdwick sheep. Hers was the largest gift at that time to the National Trust and it enabled the preservation of the lands now included in the Lake District National Park and the continuation of fell farming.

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For more than fifty years he has set a standard for American art. Like so many of the famous artists I’ve studied, many of them had their roots of art take hold in childhood. From the age of five Jasper knew he wanted to be an artist.

His work depicts commonplace emblems such as flags, targets, maps, and numbers, and through his genius manipulation to the canvas’ surface texture, he raises the images to iconic status. Constantly challenging the technical possibilities of printmaking, painting and sculpture,  Johns laid the groundwork for a wide range of experimental artists.

Jasper is one of the most significant figures in the history of postwar art. His work from 1955 to 1965 was pivotal, and he laid the groundwork for both Pop Art and Minimalism.

Since the 1980s, Johns produces paintings at four to five a year, sometimes not at all during a year. His large scale paintings are much favored by collectors and due to their rarity, it is known that Johns’ works are extremely difficult to acquire.

Today, as his prints and paintings set record prices at auction, the meanings of his paintings, his imagery, and his changing style continue to be subjects of controversy.

Media Highlights

Johns had painted his first American flag in 1954, and it is the image with which the artist is most often associated. His White Flag (1955) hangs in the Metropolitan; Three Flags (1958) is in the Whitneys permanent collection. A 1973 piece, Two Flags, sold for $12.1 million in 1989 — the second highest auction price ever achieved by the artist.

The National Gallery of Art acquired about 1,700 of Johns’ proofs in 2007. This made the Gallery home to the largest number of Johns’ works held by a single institution.

Sources:
christies.com/lotfinder/prints-multiples/jasper-johns-flags-i-5313639-details.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper_Johns

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Keith Haring’s art work was bold and graphical and has become a widely recognized visual language of the 20th century. His art made a statement and he became a sensation in the art world with his bold, cartoon style and graffiti influenced works. He created the art form of classic graffiti and brought recognition to street art. However his art was so much more than graffiti. He used his own work to highlight issues in New York and his own life. It was bold, vivid and expressive with roots in cartooning and graphic design. It’s not wonder though since his dad was a cartoonist, he inherited his unique style and talent.

Keith Grew up in Kutztown, Pennsylvania and spent many hours drawing with his father. Haring was fascinated by the popular cartoon art of Walt Disney and Charles Schultz. Haring was interested in art from an early age. From 1976 to 1978 he studied commercial art at The Ivy School of Professional Art, an art school in Pittsburgh. He soon lost interest in commercial art and moved on to study Fine Arts.

At age 19, in 1978, Haring moved to New York City, where he was inspired by graffiti art, and studied at the School of Visual Arts.

As Keith found his style and developed it, his artwork visually fought against mass consumption, racism, capitalism, violence, religion and injustice in all their forms, with a particular emphasis on the threat of nuclear war, the destruction of the environment, homophobia and the AIDS epidemic. His art expressed wherever he showed up.

While he never founded a school or an artistic movement, the curator of the current exhibit, Odile Burluraux, likens Haring to Andy Warhol, “the Pope of pop art”, who remained a friend and mentor.

Keith Haring is quoted as saying:
“I don’t think art is propaganda; it should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further. It celebrates humanity instead of manipulating it.”

To quote David Hockney, Haring’s art existed “anywhere he stopped moving.” If Keith Haring were alive today, perhaps he’d tell us to stop, just for a moment.

Keith Haring died on February 16, 1990 at 31-years-old, of AIDS-related complications. His works continues to be exhibited around the world and many are owned by such prestigious museums as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.

A vast commercial industry has been built around the visual aesthetic of Keith Haring. T-shirts, sneakers, jewelry, and greeting cards draw on the style of the “graffiti school” for their designs. Haring himself capitalized on his own image in a way painters never would have dreamed of before the mass media age.

“My contribution to the world is my ability to draw. I will draw as much as I can for as many people as I can for as long as I can.”
Keith Haring

And one of the most intuitive quotes:
“When I die there is nobody to take my place.”
Keith Haring

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Haring
http://www.haring.com/

Featured image:
L: Keith Haring (1958–1990), Untitled (Self-Portrait),1985. Acrylic on canvas. Private collection. Keith Haring artwork © Keith Haring Foundation. R: Keith Haring, self-portrait, 1980-1981. One of four Polaroids. Collection of the Keith Haring Foundation.

Other sources:
http://deyoung.famsf.org/haring/about/biography

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Most famous artists from the past have delved into the expression of self-portraits. Although self-portraits have been made since the earliest times, it was not until the Early Renaissance in the Mid-15th Century that artists can be frequently identified depicting themselves as either the main subject, or as important characters in their work.

Why DID so many famous artists paint self-portraits?

Practice Makes Perfect
In early times this was the best way to master portraiture experience before working with the client.

Calling Cards
Portraiture Artists used self-portraits as a calling card, validating their skills. Much like people today use business cards.

Status
Famous artists could paint themselves into a setting which gave status to where they lived.

Document Their Life
A creative and tedious form of today’s selfies! Artists also wanted to document their life and how they changed over the years. For instance van Gogh painted around 36 self-portraits in only ten years. Rembrandt produced the most self-portraits throughout his career.

Looking Deeper
Picasso had some interesting thoughts as to why he painted self-portraits. He once said “Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?”

To Make Millions of Dollars?
Famous artists that created million dollar self-portraits probably never dreamed that someday their portraits would sell for millions. If only they knew at the time!

The following 5 famous self-portraits have sold for millions.

“Self-portrait” by Andy Warhol Sold for $27.5 Million

Andy Warhol’s stark red-on-black Self-Portrait, sold for $27.5 Million in 2011. Created with acrylic and silkscreen on canvas, the painting measures almost 9 square feet. It was created toward the end of his life in 1986 and shows the artist, with hair spiked, looking directly at the viewer.

Picasso’s “Self-Portrait Yo Picasso” by Picasso Sold for $47.9 Million in 1989

Painted in June 1901, Yo Picasso is the first of that year’s three self-portraits and shows the 19-year old Picasso viewing himself with pride and confidence. Over the years Picasso’s style developed and his self portraits became more abstract.

“Portrait of an Artist Without His Beard” by Vincent by van Gogh

Painted in 1889, “Portrait of an Artist Without His Beard” sold for $71.5 million in 1998 in New York City. It was the second highest price for a van Gogh at auction and the third highest price for any artwork ever sold at auction.

What made van Gogh’s “Portrait of an Artist Without His Beard” so unique was that it was the only self-portrait he painted of himself without a beard, and it is said to be his last self-portrait. He painted the picture for his mother, Anna Cornelia Carbentus van Gogh, for her 70th birthday while he was in an asylum. He wanted to reassure her that we was doing fine. Ironically he committed suicide soon after.

“Self Portrait with Monkey” by Frida Kahlo Sold for $1 Million

Frida Kahlo, Mexico’s most famous woman artist is best known for her self-portraits that express the emotional effects of pain, loss and tragedy in her life. This self-portrait painted in 1940 was painted during Frida’s one year divorce from her husband Diego. The stance in the painting is direct and serious. Purchased by “Madonna” in the late 1980’s, she has collected several of Frida’s Paintings. Read more here on other famous Frida paintings.

Self-portrait with Hunting Horn by Max Beckmann

German artist Max Beckmann painted “Self-portrait with Hunting Horn” in 1938 while he was in exile in Amsterdam after the Nazis branded him a degenerate artist.

The painting fetched 22.5 million in 2001.

In “Self-Portrait with Hunting Horn”, Beckmann depicts himself alone in a confined, narrow space holding a Waldhorn (a German hunting horn) in his left hand and wearing a black-and red-striped housecoat. The eerie contrasts of the painting tell a much deeper story, the German horn which was used as a symbol of romanticism in German art and literature.

While there are many million dollar faces, these are a few that show the variety that past famous portrait artists have produced.

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Georgia O’Keeffe is a legend in the world of art and remains one of America’s most popular painters of natural artworks today. Born in Wisconsin in 1887, Georgia was raised in the midst of a large farming family and had six siblings; she was the second oldest. Perhaps one of the reasons Georgia developed an interest in painting was her mother’s cultural interests. In addition to their school studies, Georgia’s mother saw to it that all her daughters studied art, although Georgia said she really did not know where the idea to become an artist came from. Wherever it originated, she was highly successful!

Around the world, people still easily recognize her work, often identifying her paintings immediately upon seeing a huge display of colorful flowers or bones in a dream-like desert.

She also holds the record for the highest price paid for a painting by a woman. On November 20, 2014 at Sotheby’s, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art bought her 1932 painting Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 for US$44.4 million (equivalent to US$57.2 million in 2023).

Jimson Weed, White Flower No. 1, expresses one of O’Keeffe’s favorite subjects: a magnified flower. She made it her purpose to highlight their complex structures, explaining: “When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not.”

Six calla lily paintings created by Georgia sold for $25,000 in 1928; certainly that amount of money was hardly heard of during the period. At the time, this was the most ever paid for a group of creative works by a still-living American artist.

Before Georgia O’Keeffe became famous, she studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and was given her first gallery show by photographer Alfred Stieglitz in 1916. Eight years later, the couple married and were not only husband and wife, but best friends and partners until the time of Stieglitz’s death in 1946. Following his death, Georgia spent much of her time in New Mexico, where she purchased two homes, the Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch. For 35 years she lived in either of these two homes after moving from New York. In 1984, Georgia moved to Santa Fe where she died two years later.

Georgia’s Abiquiu home is open to tours today. When she purchased the 5,000 square foot Spanish Colonial-era compound in 1945, it was said to be in ruins. Georgia spent four years restoring the home with Maria Chabot, her close friend.

Some of Georgia’s earliest popular works of art include Oriental Poppies, Black Iris, and Shelton Hotel, N.Y. No. 1. These paintings were created during the early years of O’Keeffe’s and Stieglitz’s marriage.

Two of her earliest and most celebrated Southwestern paintings—Cow’s Skull: Red, White, and Blue (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) and Cow’s Skull with Calico Roses (Art Institute of Chicago) from 1931—express a skull’s weathered surfaces, jagged edges, and irregular openings.  O’Keeffe said that the bones symbolized the eternal beauty of the desert.

O’Keeffe passed away in 1986 at age ninety-eight, her ashes were scattered over the New Mexico landscape she had loved for more than half a century. She created over 900 paintings and is regarded as one of the most famous women artists of all time.

To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage. ~ Georgia O’Keeffe

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Born March 30, 1853, Vincent van Gogh lived a tumultuous life full of color, drama, passion, illness and loneliness. In a short period of ten years, Van Gogh made approximately 900 paintings, 36 which were self-portraits. Ahead of his time, he died never knowing the reach of his art and fame. He passed away at 37 after he shot himself (though some scholars believe he was shot by accident).

Many of his paintings became famous after his death. He is famous for bold post-Impressionist style and many are familiar with his sunflowers. However, he created many self-portraits which give a raw glimpse inside his troubled mental state and his unique self-perspective.

Most likely, van Gogh’s self-portraits are depicting the face as it appeared in the mirror he used to reproduce his face, i.e. his right side in the image that is in reality, the left side of his face. Shown above is a rare photograph of van Gogh taken in 1873 when he was 19. At the time he worked for the Goupil & Cie art dealership in the Hague. It is the only know photograph of van Gogh’s face.

Below are a few of his most interesting self-portraits…

Self Portrait, 1889: Believed to be Vincent van Gogh’s Last Self Portrait

Painted only months before his death, it is interesting to note that the background in the painting is reminiscent of Starry Night. Swirling brush strokes, movement and contrast, the background is restless behind the intense stare of Vincent. Attention is focused on his face, his features anxious and stern.

Self Portrait for Paul Gauguin – Confiscated and Sold by the Nazis

Vincent van Gogh, Arles, (1888,) gift; to Paul Gauguin, (1888-1897).

During the Third Reich regime in Germany, Vincent van Gogh paintings were stolen and/or destroyed by German authorities. The self-portrait above that was dedicated to Gaugin, was one of the works branded as Degenerate art by the Nazis, confiscated and sold. The winning bid for this work was $US 40.00 by Dr. Frankfurter.

The Bandaged Ear – Not What It Seems?

Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear, January 1889

Did Van Gogh really cut off his ear in the legendary act of self-harm and present it to a prostitute who is said to have fainted when he handed it to her? Well, a book published in Germany by Hamburg-based historians Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans, argues that Vincent van Gogh may have made up the whole story to protect his friend Gauguin, a keen fencer, who actually lopped it off with a sword during a heated argument. The historians say that the real version of events has never surfaced because the two men both kept a “pact of silence” – Gauguin to avoid prosecution and Van Gogh in an effort trying to keep his friend with whom he was hopelessly infatuated.

This painting is considered one of the most expensive paintings of all time (along with the self-portrait below to his mother). In the late 90s it sold for $90 million in a private sale.

Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat (obverse: The Potato Peeler)

Spending much of his adult life in poverty, van Gogh could not afford to hire models. The above portrait actually consists of two portraits on one canvas. To save money on canvases he would frequently use both sides of the canvas. On the back side is “The Potato Peeler”.

“I purposely bought a good enough mirror to work from myself, for want of a model.”

Birthday Gift for Mother – “Portrait of an Artist Without His Beard”

Portrait de l’Artiste Sans Barbe (Self-portrait without beard), 1889

This painting was Van Gogh’s self-portrait, which he gave to his mother as a birthday gift. Van Gogh painted Self-Portrait without beard just after he had shaved himself.

What made van Gogh’s “Portrait of an Artist Without His Beard” so special was that he painted it for his mother, Anna Cornelia Carbentus van Gogh, for her 70th birthday not long before his suicide in 1890. At the time, van Gogh was ill in Saint Remy, France, and wanted to reassure his mother that he was all right. He painted himself with chiseled features, a clean-shaven face and an intense stare.

The self-portrait is one of the most expensive paintings of all time, selling for $71.5 million in 1998 in New York. At the time, it was the third (or an inflation-adjusted fourth) most expensive painting ever sold.

“I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people approve or disapprove.”

Vincent van Gogh painted over 30 self-portraits between the years 1886 and 1889. His collection of self-portraits places him among the most prolific self-portraitists of all time.

To see even more of Van Gogh’s portrait, check out the video below.

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A starving artist early on, his masterpiece publication did not come easy and you will soon discover why!

John James Audubon (April 26th 1785 – January 27th 1851)  is considered America’s first great watercolorist of birds and he had a deep fascination that drove him to create his lifetime masterpiece “Birds of America”.

Audubon endured many hardships before finding success in his 40’s. Born illegitimate, Audubon’s mother passed away when he was just a few months old. When John Audubon was 18 years old, he was sent to the United States to avoid him being a part of Napoleon’s army. Originally named Jean Jacques, on the arrival to America, he changed his name to John James to sound more American.

As an adult for two decades in America he made several unsuccessful business ventures. His wife Lucy, a sharp hawk-like looking woman was a powerful and extraordinary woman who worked tirelessly to aid her husband in his landmark work. She encouraged him to focus on his deep fascination of birds. Frequently he used his drawing talent to trade for goods or sell small works to raise cash. He also make charcoal portraits on demand for only 5$ each and gave drawing lessons.

Audubon’s views as artist and naturalist presented a dramatic contrast to those of other naturalists of his time. He aimed to show and illustrate each species as close as possible to life size and engaged in a natural pose or activity. Audubon called his work Birds of America. He attempted to paint one page each day however decided his earlier works were inferior and re-did them. He hired hunters to gather specimens for him.

{As a side note, Audubon would be thrilled to know, in 2012 an original copy of Birds Of America fetched $7.9 million at auction. Today, 120 are known to exist, with 107 in institutions and 13 in private hands.}

Audubon approached publishers in North America and was disappointed that none would publish his work. He headed to London with his work in search of a publisher and to his delight, the British could not get enough of his images of backwoods America and its natural attractions.

Met with great acceptance he toured around England and Scotland, and was lionized as “the American woodsman.” He raised enough money to begin publishing his Birds of America.

This monumental work consists of 435 hand-colored, life-size prints of 497 bird species, made from engraved copper plates of various sizes depending on the size of the image. They were printed on sheets measuring about 39 by 26 inches (660 mm). Printed between 1827 and 1838 by London engraver Robert Havell the work contained just over 700 North American bird species. The cost of printing the entire work was an extreme cost of $115,640 (over $2,000,000 today), paid for from advance subscriptions, exhibitions, oil painting commissions, and animal skins, which Audubon hunted and sold.

It took more than 14 years of field observations and drawings, plus his single-handed management and promotion of the project to make it a success. A reviewer wrote, “All anxieties and fears which overshadowed his work in its beginning had passed away.”

The success of “Birds of America” brought him immediate fame as the book was as close to nature as possible. He was elected to be a fellow at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1930. He went on to Illustrate other works before his death at 65.

Today, All 435 Illustrations from John J Audubon’s ‘Birds of America’ Are Available for Free Download.  The National Audubon Society has recently made John James Audubon’s seminal Birds of America available to the public in a downloadable digital library. Download and find out more here.

A man with driving artistic passion and affinity for birds he indeed lived the below quote out.

I felt an intimacy with them…bordering on frenzy [that] must accompany my steps through life…

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_James_Audubon

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Favorite Bob Ross Quotes

That’s a crooked tree. We’ll send him to Washington.

Find freedom on this canvas.

I think there’s an artist hidden at the bottom of every single one of us.

Make love to the canvas.

We tell people sometimes: We’re like drug dealers, come into town and get everybody absolutely addicted to painting. It doesn’t take much to get you addicted.

We want happy paintings. Happy paintings. If you want sad things, watch the news.

Bob Ross Quotes on Creativity and Inspiration

Ross’s quotes are filled with wisdom and inspiration for artists of all backgrounds. He believed that creativity was not limited to the realm of art but could be applied to all aspects of life.

One of his most famous quotes is, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” This quote reminds us that mistakes are an essential part of the creative process and should be embraced rather than feared.

Another quote that showcases Ross’s belief in the power of creativity is, “Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you’re willing to practice, you can do.” This quote is a reminder that creativity is not solely reserved for those with natural talent, but rather, it is a skill that can be cultivated through practice and dedication.

Bob Ross Quotes on Nature and the Environment

Ross was known for his love of nature and often incorporated landscapes and natural elements into his paintings. He believed that nature was a source of inspiration and that spending time in the great outdoors could help ignite our creative spirit. One of his quotes that perfectly captures this sentiment is, “Look around. Look at what we have. Beauty is everywhere – you only have to look to see it.”

Ross also had a deep respect for the environment and advocated for its preservation. He often spoke about the importance of taking care of our planet and leaving it in a better condition for future generations. In one of his quotes, he said, “We don’t want to set our world on fire. We just want to paint a happy little tree.”

Bob Ross Quotes on Happiness and Positivity

One of the most remarkable aspects of Bob Ross was his unwavering positivity. He believed in finding joy in the simplest things and encouraged his viewers to do the same. One of his famous quotes that exemplifies this mindset is, “We don’t make mistakes here, we just have happy accidents.” This quote reminds us to embrace the unexpected and find beauty in every situation.

Ross also believed that art had the power to bring happiness to people’s lives. In one of his quotes, he said, “Let your imagination be your guide. Find what makes you happy and go for it.” This quote encourages us to follow our passions and pursue what brings us joy, both in art and in life.

How to Apply Bob Ross Quotes in your Own Life

The wisdom of Bob Ross extends far beyond the art world. His quotes can be applied to various aspects of our lives, helping us navigate challenges and find joy in the everyday. One way to incorporate Ross’s philosophy into your life is by embracing the concept of happy accidents.

Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, see them as opportunities for growth and creativity.

Another way to apply Ross’s quotes is by finding inspiration in nature. Take the time to observe the beauty around you and let it inspire your creative endeavors. Whether it’s a walk in the park or simply gazing at the clouds, connecting with nature can ignite your imagination and spark new ideas.

Bob Ross’s legacy and continued influence

Even though Bob Ross passed away in 1995, his legacy continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts worldwide. His television show, “The Joy of Painting”, is still broadcasted today, introducing new generations to his calming presence and artistic expertise.

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