LOS ANGELES: Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to help cover programming costs for public television stations facing cuts in federal funding.
Ross, a public television stalwart in the 1980s and 1990s, “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, with additional auctions to follow in London, New York, Boston and online. All profits are pledged to stations that use content from distributor American Public Television.
The initiative aims to help stations struggling to pay licensing fees for popular programs, including “The Best of Joy of Painting,” based on Ross’ show, “America’s Test Kitchen,” “Julia Child’s French Chef Classics” and “This Old House.” Smaller and rural stations are particularly challenged.
As directed by President Donald Trump, Congress has eliminated $1.1 billion allocated to public broadcasting, forcing about 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations to seek alternative funding sources. Many have launched emergency fund drives, while others have laid off staff or cut programming.
Ross, who died in 1995 from complications of cancer after 11 years producing “The Joy of Painting,” became a beloved figure for his calm demeanor and encouraging words. His how-to program aired across the United States and worldwide, enjoying a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Ross often spoke on air about painting happy little clouds and trees, and making no mistakes—only “happy accidents.”
The 30 paintings to be auctioned span Ross’ career and include landscapes depicting serene mountain vistas and lake scenes, his signature aesthetic. He created most of them on air, each in under 30 minutes, the length of a single episode.
Bonhams, an international auction house, sold two of Ross’ early 1990s mountain-and-lake scenes in August for $114,800 and $95,750. The upcoming auctions are expected to bring in between $850,000 and $1.4 million, according to Bonhams.
