LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to defray the costs of programming for public television stations suffering from cuts in federal funding.
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. “This auction ensures his legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades.”
Bonhams in Los Angeles will auction three of Ross’ paintings on Nov. 11. Other auctions will follow in London, New York, Boston and online. All profits are pledged to stations that use content from distributor American Public Television.
The idea is to help stations in need with licensing fees that allow them to show popular programs that 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.” Small and rural stations are particularly challenged.
As desired by President Donald Trump, Congress has eliminated $1.1 billion allocated to public broadcasting, leaving 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.
The beloved Ross 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 enjoyed a resurgence in popularity during the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ross spoke often as he worked on air about painting happy little clouds and trees, and making no mistakes, only “happy accidents.”
The thirty paintings to be auctioned span Ross’ career and 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 episode.
Bonhams sold two early 1990s mountain-and-lake scenes of Ross in August for $114,800 and $95,750. The auctions of the 30 paintings soon to be sold have an estimated total value of $850,000 to $1.4 million, Bonhams said.
Squatosaurus-Rex on October 7th, 2025 at 15:39 UTC »
This is cool but I fear anything involving the Kowalskis will somehow be done in bad faith. They'll probably profit from this somehow.
WalletFullOfSausage on October 7th, 2025 at 15:38 UTC »
Reminder that Bob Ross Inc, the owning company of all things related to Bob Ross, successfully swindled Bob’s family out of any rights to their father’s legacy, despite Bob’s will stating otherwise. They are in no way related to the Ross family (shy of being former business partners) and not one product they sell or produce benefits or involves Bob’s family in any way - including this.
Deinosoar on October 7th, 2025 at 15:29 UTC »
He would certainly approve.