Note: We’re taking a break from our series on paint this week. We’ll return to our series next week.
I was rereading Joe Karbo’s book, “The Lazy Man’s Way to Riches”, on Friday. In the beginning of the book he asserts, “You are now on your way to having everything in the world you really want!” He makes a point of explaining why he used “everything” and not “anything”. Joe explains that if someone were to give you anything in the world for which you wished, he would be limiting your gift. “Anything,” Joe says, “means any one thing.”
I recalled a video we posted of Bill discussing that same idea with his producer, John Hartman. Bill points out how anything means “any of them”. Bill was referring, as Joe did, to individual items (notice how Bill points at the imaginary items). He, too, didn’t want to limit his gift.
Bill was a giver
Bill’s autobiography relates many stories of Bill’s limitless generosity. There was the woman who wanted to take lessons with Bill but didn’t have the fee. Bill and Margarete welcomed her into the class anyway.
There was the troubled young man who needed direction and guidance. Bill and Margarete took him into their home and tried to help him.
Aldergrove, Bill’s art colony, failed. It failed because Bill focused on helping young artists, instead of focusing on money.
Bill and Margarete didn’t have much money for most of their lives. Yet, they were always ready to help anyone with everything they had.
Unfinished work
There was much Bill achieved in his lifetime. There was more he wanted to do.
In “The Bill Alexander Life Story”, a video interview, Bill talks about the future of his company. “I think we have the top artists in America on our side now. And they will, what I started, they will really fulfill my good dream of tomorrow that we bring wonderful art to the world, wonderful dreams with tears and with joy and with excitement. It is just so wonderful.”
John then asked Bill why he was so willing to share the spotlight when many artists were reluctant to do that. Bill responded. “Everything has its ending. I feel how long is left for me? Wouldn’t it be nice if I trained top people to go on where I left off? It would be wonderful.”
Remember that Bill was already in his sixties when his television show became popular. The hectic schedules and appearances were draining. By the mid-nineties, Bill had long since left his television career and Alexander Art behind. He had suffered a stroke and had limited capabilities.
When Bill’s producer filmed this interview in mid-1980, Bill was confident that his work would continue. Shortly before he died, in 1997, Bill wasn’t so certain.
Our mission
Shortly before Bill died he asked Laurie, our CEO, to promise him that his work would continue. From that day, the mission at Alexander Art became to share Bill with the world. With little staff and limited resources, that was often difficult to do. However, modern technology and the Internet have now given us the tools to make that happen.
The wait is over
We are still celebrating the 100th year of Bill’s birth. On November 1st Alexander Art is going to make one of the biggest announcements in its thirty-year history. We are going to give Bill’s fans something for which they have been waiting for almost twenty years. We plan to continue Bill’s dream: “bring wonderful art to the world – wonderful dreams with tears and with joy and excitement. It is just so wonderful.”
Just adores Bill on his tv series. Watched it every time it was on, and learned so very, very much! Still enjoy seeing him in videos with the reminders of what he taught me during his TV days. I so long for the books and his art with instructions that I cherished, but were lost during a recent move. Thank you, Bill, and happy birthday in Heaven.
I have so enjoyed Bill’s teaching D.V.D’s, I have endeavored to paint in his style and recommended his method to many people.
Years ago, bill Alexander gave me the courage via television that I could do this. and I could, and I did..and I still do.I cannot thank you enough.
My Dad and I watched Bill when I was a kid, I bought my 1st Alexander paint set in 1988, and have gone on to be a wet on wet instructor. I think of Bill every time I “fire in” with a brush !!!! Thanks Bill for giving me a start on my artistic journey. !!
I started watch Bill’s show back in the early 80s an was simply fascinatied by a person with a brush like that which I paint by walls so such spectacular art work that I had to try it myself. So I bought one of his starter painting kits and I was hooked. What hurts is to see that Bob Ross, who was one of Bill’s students getting so much publicity and when you want into any art or craft store, there is Bob Ross painting supplies. What happened to Bill Alexander the founder of the method? And when you ask someone about Bill they give you this strange blank stare and then say who? That has to change. Bill came across as such a wonderful man and I want to see his legacy continue. So I try to promote The Bill Alexander Wet on Wet Technique of painting every chance I get.
Bob Ross laid claim to his mentor’s legacy. He has so many convinced that his supplies being sold in all the stores were his originals. What a creep. So glad there are still places on the internet that we can order Bill’s paints rather than giving Bob Ross a penny of profit!
Rest in peace, Bill. You have so many of us out here that know where our inspiration began!!
Bill asked Bob Ross if he could create his own line of paints and brushes because at the time the company that produced Bill’s painting supplies could not keep up with the demand. For the record, Bob always started out several of his seasons first episode with giving Bill Alexander credit for teaching him the wet on wet technique.
I really enjoyed watching Bill’s TV program when I was a child growing up. It would always amaze me as he took a plain white canvas and in one programs time brought it to life with a completed painting masterpiece..
I can credit him with awakening in me that appreciation for art. When I heard the music at the beginning of his program, I would sit down in front to the TV and not move until the program was over and I could see what he had created. I loved it when he would say things like ” Fire that all mighty brush!” or ” feel free to let yourself go, you are the creator !” I learned so much from watching his program and at 62 still borrow some of his techniques when painting.
When looking back, there are always people that bring joy and happiness to your life. To me, some like, Red Skelton, Bill Alexander are some of those that stand out.
what a beautiful person he was. Thank You Bill for bringing some of that happiness to all of us.