Bob Ross brought peace, calm, and the joy of painting to millions. Even after this death, he affected us in a positive way. I mean, Twitch streamed the entirety of “The Joy of Painting”, his TV show to thousands. It was insane how many people stuck around for each episode. There was something soothing about the way he spoke, never in a judgmental tone. He wanted everyone to find the joy in painting, no matter what skill level they had. He inspired countless people to try to paint, and even in my own life, I know quite a few people who were inspired by Bob Ross. So when I saw the “Bob Ross Sylvanus” skin for SMITE I thought it was just some clever joke, maybe something I missed out on. I saw a picture of it but had no context. But it’s real, and it’s a wonderful thing. It’s a part of a bundle, 700 gems or 9.99 on Twitch, and comes with probably the coolest loading screen of all time. It’s a backdrop reminiscent of Bob Ross’ style, but the real prize is the loading frame. It paints your God in a stylized manner, again, in that unique Bob Ross way. AND GROVER IS SMILING LIKE A HAPPY LITTLE TREE. This is probably the best thing Hirez has ever done yet. It was designed by Hirez Studios, in close partnership with the Bob Ross estate and with Twitch. Whatever the purpose, it’s a loving tribute to possibly one of the greatest artists of this, or any age. Not one who was arrogant or self-serving. A man who stands with some of the kindest people of our time, like Mr. Rogers. They were people who believed in the innate goodness of people, people who taught valuable life lessons, and sincerely felt that absolutely anyone could do what they did.
Thank you, Hirez. Whether it is a charitable act or just a tribute, it’s a wonderful thing. Whether you play Sylvanus or not, do consider purchasing this bundle. I think my favorite Bob Ross quote was “The secret to doing anything is believing that you can do it. Anything that you believe you can do strong enough, you can do. Anything. As long as you believe.” What about you?
