Bob Ross paintings will be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal funding cuts

A collection of thirty paintings crafted by the bushy-haired and soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be placed on the auction block to help cover costs for programming at small and rural public television stations facing federal funding cuts.

As a key figure in public television during the 1980s and ‘90s, Ross “devoted his life to making art accessible to everyone,” remarked Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc.

This auction aims to ensure that his legacy continues to support the very medium that spread his joy and creativity across American households for many years.

The first auction of three Ross paintings is scheduled at Bonhams in Los Angeles on November 11.

Subsequent auctions will take place in London, New York, Boston, and online. All proceeds will benefit stations utilizing content from distributor American Public Television.

The goal is to support these stations with licensing costs for popular shows that feature programs like “The Best of Joy of Painting,” a spinoff of Ross’s series, alongside “America’s Test Kitchen,” “Julia Child’s French Chef Classics,” and “This Old House.”

In line with President Donald Trump‘s intentions, Congress has scrapped $1.1 billion previously allocated for public broadcasting, leaving around 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations to seek alternative revenue streams.

Many stations have initiated emergency fundraising campaigns.

Some have had to reduce staffing levels and scale back their programming.

Bob Ross, who passed away in 1995 from cancer complications, had a significant 11-year run with “The Joy of Painting.”

His beloved series aired on channels in the U.S. and worldwide.

The former Air Force drill sergeant, known for his tranquil demeanor and comforting words, saw a revival in popularity during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Ross frequently spoke about painting “happy little clouds and trees,” emphasizing the notion that there are no mistakes, only “happy accidents.”

The upcoming auction features paintings that showcase Ross’s artistic journey, with works highlighting his iconic landscapes of calming mountain vistas and tranquil lake scenes.

Each piece was primarily created during his television episodes, with each masterpiece coming to life in under 30 minutes.

In August, Bonhams sold two early 1990s landscapes featuring mountains and lakes for significant sums, fetching $114,800 and $95,750 respectively.

The estimated total value for the upcoming auction of the thirty paintings ranges between $850,000 and $1.4 million, as stated by Bonhams.