Mathew Halstead

 Mathew Hastead is a lifelong artist and has been a teacher for over 25 years. His passions for art and teaching have come together through leading Bob Ross painting classes and in his position as a high school art teacher. His love of art began as a child when his parents supplied him with massive rolls of leftover newspaper from the printers. With functionally unlimited paper to scribble and draw and paint and express himself upon, his creativity exploded. By fourth grade, his parents had him in private painting lessons. Growing up, he watched enthralled as Bob Ross worked his magic on TV. After years of painting, sculpting, jewelry making, leather work, digital art and various mixed media art, he found himself drawn to old episodes of Bob Ross as a way to relax. One day something clicked. As Bob created shape and texture with a pallet knife, Mathew realized he wanted to do more than watch. And so began his quest to learn how to paint in the style of Bob Ross. From a modest starter paint set, to private lessons, to finally training at the Bob Ross Inc. Flagship in New Smyrna Beach, he progressed from student to teacher. After a lifetime of artistic exploration and teaching, Matt firmly believes that you too can paint like Bob Ross.