THREE Bob Ross paintings are up for auction – allowing fans to snap up an original for around $50,000.
The eye-catching creations all featured in the beloved painter’s TV show “The Joy of Painting.”
Ross spoke often as he worked on air about painting happy little clouds and trees, and making no mistakes, only “happy accidents.”
The famous painter sadly died in 1995 of complications from cancer.
Bonhams in Los Angeles revealed that it will initially auction three of Ross’ paintings today, November 11.
It will offer 30 original paintings in total by the American artist, in collaboration with American Public Television (APT).
The remaining 27 works will be offered throughout 2026 at Bonhams salerooms in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles.
All works are being sold on behalf of APT, which has pledged to direct 100% of its net proceeds to support APT and PBS public television stations nationwide.
It’s hoped the sale will aid stations in need with licensing fees that allow them to show popular programs.
These include “The Best of Joy of Painting,” based on Ross’ show, “America’s Test Kitchen,” “Julia Child’s French Chef Classics” and “This Old House.”
Ross, a public television stalwart in the 1980s and ‘90s, “dedicated his life to making art accessible to everyone,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc.
Robin Starr, general manager of Bonhams Skinner, said, “Ross remains a beloved cultural icon whose work continues to spark joy among collectors and fans in the current landscape.
“Currently, Bonhams holds the world auction record for Ross’ work.
“And with his market steadily rising, the combination of live-on-air works on offer, and proceeds supporting public television, we’re expecting to see spirited bidding.
“We’re excited to build on this momentum and surpass previous records.”
The Joy of Painting aired from 1983 to 1994 on public TV and it continues uninterrupted to this day.
Bonhams said that over the course of 31 seasons and more than 400 episodes, Ross “captivated audiences with his soothing voice, gentle encouragement, and signature ‘wet-on-wet’ oil painting technique.
“His ability to demystify the artistic process and inspire confidence in viewers helped democratise artmaking, making it accessible to millions.”
HELPS FUND TV
The auctions of the 30 paintings soon to be sold have an estimated total value of $850,000 to $1.4 million, Bonhams added.
Bids for today’s auction range from $25,000 to $50,000.
The money raised will help struggling stations.
Who was American artist Bob Ross?
Bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross was a public television stalwart in the 1980s and ‘90s.
He died in 1995 of complications from cancer after 11 years in production with “The Joy of Painting.”
His how-to program was shown on stations around the U.S. and around the world.
The former Air Force drill sergeant known for his calm demeanor and encouraging words.
He enjoyed a resurgence in popularity during the lockdowns of the Covid pandemic.
Ross spoke often as he worked on air about painting happy little clouds and trees, and making no mistakes, only “happy accidents.”
The 30 paintings to be auctioned in total span Ross’ career.
They include landscapes depicting serene mountain vistas and lake scenes, his signature aesthetic.
He created most of the 30 on-air, each in under 30 minutes, which was the span of a single TV episode.
Source: Associated Press
In line with President Donald Trump’s wishes, Congress has eliminated $1.1 billion allocated to public broadcasting.
This has left about 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations to find alternative funding sources.
Many launched emergency fund drives.
Some have been forced to lay off staff and make programming cuts.
