Budget-Friendly Date Series: Episode 2: Bob Ross Painting Night

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Because keeping to a strict budget is a necessity for our family at present (as it is for many couples!), I've created this mini-series of posts highlighting dates that that are economic, can often be done at home after the kids are in bed (which saves money and anxiety over babysitters) yet still maintain a romantic and relationship-enriching atmosphere. 

Episode 2: Bob Ross Painting Night


So the credit for this date night really isn't mine. I'd like to send a shoutout to our dear friends Scott & Amanda Larsen, who hosted the first "Bob Ross Painting Nights" I've ever attended. Here's a pic from our "Happy Trees" birthday gig for Scotty a few years back:




If you're not familiar with him, Bob Ross was a wonderful man. He was an artist and television host on the show "The Joy of Painting," which aired from 1983-1994. Some of his noteworthy characteristics include his blonde/brown fro, the squirrel in his pocket, and his optimistic phrases such as "happy little trees." Bob instructed his audience how to paint landscapes via his television program. 

For a creative and low-budget evening of culture, gather some canvases, brushes, and paints (Bob used oil paints, but we are cheap and like things to dry fast, so we use acrylics). Surf Bob's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/BobRossInc for a landscape you'd like to give a shot, and GO FOR IT! We also recommend having delicious snacks handy to enjoy in between brushstrokes--our snacks have ranged from pizza & soda to sourdough bread and sweettart ropes. 

This date can be enjoyed by just the two of you, but we also highly recommend it as a group date! Recently, we enjoyed this date night with my gorgeous cousin Kylie and her wonderful boyfriend Daniel. 

Don't feel pressure to create the same exact painting. Your work doesn't need to look just like Bob's. Artwork ought to be individual. Take a look at each of our unique styles (and our easter egg additions) in the following photos:




So friends, get out there and paint some happy accidents! And make sure to send us a picture of your work or tell us about it in the comments below. Happy dating!

-Mikayla

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