The Joy of Painting

The only thing that would draw me home from the swimming pool on a Saturday afternoon during the summer was The Joy of Painting. 

For those unfamiliar with the “happy little trees” I’m referencing, artist Bob Ross hosted a weekly 30-minute PBS show introducing the audience to his wet-on-wet oil painting technique. Supported by a fantastic art teacher, Pam Williams, and artsy-craftsy parents, I was introduced not only to painting, but pottery, screen-printing, photography, jewelry-making, welding, woodworking and more. 

Growing up in a small rural Iowa community meant you had to be in everything in order for them to have everything. School mornings started with jazz band or swing choir rehearsal, and ended with football or basketball practice, but any spare minute or study hall in between would find me down in the art room working on a project. As much as I enjoyed art, however, when I headed off to college, the adjective that I’d so often heard accompany “artist” (i.e. “starving”) had me looking for a non-art major. 

During my undergraduate and graduate school years, I’d put away that side of me. Once Jill and I started our family, opportunities to reengage my own artsy-craftsy self became prevalent; cardboard boxes became a working Thomas the Train for a toddler, princess-themed rooms needed to be painted and a playhouse had to be constructed. One night, after completing the mudding/sanding in a guest bedroom I’d framed in the basement, I stood back and looked at the blank wall and said, “I think I’ll paint a mural.” My wife, unaware of my skillset, though we’d been together for six years, simply said, “OK?” with a lot of uncertainty in her voice on her way to bed. 

That evening I “Bob Rossed” a Boundary Waters Canoe Area scene of trees reflected against a lake and converging to a portage. Jill was pleasantly shocked the next morning. 

Similarly, few of my M&O colleagues were aware of my artistic side until a white elephant gift exchange at our annual department Christmas party in 2018. Striving to stay under the maximum purchase price, while at the same time wanting to add a fun gift, I decided to paint something. So here’s the thing, once I can visualize a piece in my mind, I’m able to put it onto a canvas or wall. After watching Seinfeld one evening, the crossover idea involving our own Craig Crossland hit me. Once opened, The Craig (photo included) was an instant hit! It quickly exchanged hands before finally being locked down by Wendy Angst, in whose office the original painting is currently displayed. In the years since, the “Craig” has been transferred to playing cards, coffee mugs and a pillow.

The value I get out of painting equates to mere seconds. I relish the expressions of joy in the eyes of friends and family upon first seeing what they’ve commissioned or are receiving. The other piece pictured was done for my close friend Pastor Brad. He has always loved the 1973 portrayal affectionately called Laughing Jesus by Canadian Willis Wheatley. I recreated the image in reverse, and placed its reflection in a car side mirror in order to convey the message that no matter how rough the ride is at times, or how fast life seems to be rushing by, the Lord is always closer than we think (photo included). In that moment he opened it, I was rewarded not with money, but with something far more valuable to me – love.

Chad Harms

Associate Professional Specialist

Management & Organization