Graham Spencer, a pastor at the Fellowship of Christian University Students, paints dressed as Bob Ross during a Bob Ross painting night Aug. 25 in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. Spencer projected his painting to the attendees so they could follow along.
A brush slowly moved across the canvas, creating a backdrop of pinks, whites and blues, crafting mountains, sunsets, grassy pastures and trees.
Dressed as Bob Ross, Graham Spencer, Fellowship of Christian University Students pastor, led about 140 students during the Bob Ross painting night Monday in the Bluebonnet Ballroom.
Graham Spencer, a pastor at the Fellowship of Christian University Students, paints dressed as Bob Ross during a Bob Ross painting night Aug. 25 in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. Spencer works full time with FOCUS.
Prior to the event, Spencer watched one of Ross’ videos to prepare for the role, taking note of his mannerisms and speech patterns.
“I’m not great at his accent or voice, but it feels very natural to say the things that he says,” Spencer said.
Attendees paint their canvases in the dark during a Bob Ross painting night Aug. 25 in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. The lights went out halfway through the event, and students turned on their phone flashlights to continue painting.
He said his favorite part about playing the character is that Ross was a positive person.
While canvases were provided, some painted on different materials.
Automotive engineering sophomore Ahmed Alzayabi painted his landscape, titled “Monday Morning,” on a paper towel.
Sophie Willis, a member of Fellowship of Christian University Students, pours paint on plates during a Bob Ross painting night Aug. 25 in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. Willis said she hoped students could connect during the event.
An image of green grass, trees, a stick figure and a golden sun overtook the tiny sliver of the paper towel. Alzayabi said he based the painting on a regular Monday morning.
He said he saw what everyone else was doing and wanted to paint something different.
Graham Spencer, a pastor at the Fellowship of Christian University Students, speaks during a Bob Ross painting night Aug. 25 in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. Spencer began getting involved with student ministries during his time at the University of North Texas.
Although many did not come with a background in painting, some did have a technique.
Emily Long, resource and energy engineering junior, said she wanted her piece to be more impressionistic.
“I’m going to make blobs more than more detailed realism painting,” Long said.
Exercise science freshman Emmett Spare, left, holds a phone flashlight over Andreea Rotar’s, human resources and management freshman, canvas during a Bob Ross painting night Aug. 25 in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. The Fellowship of Christian University Students provided the canvas and paint for all attendees.
Laughter and conversation filled the air as attendees showed one another their paintings.
Long said events like the painting night give individuals an activity to do together while taking the edge off.
As the night went on, Spencer gave many Ross-isms, one being, “Tap, tap, tap.”
Long said she loves Ross’ quote: “We don’t make mistakes; we just have happy little accidents.”
“When you embrace failure with that kind of attitude, you are much more free to make mistakes, and you’re also free to be innovative,” Long said.
@tay._.sansom