‘Happy little’ Bob Ross paintings sold for over $600K to help public TV stations defunded by Trump admin
Ross during the taping of his very first public television show “The Joy of Painting” at the WNVC studio in Falls Church, Virginia. via REUTERS
LOS ANGELES — Three paintings by beloved public television icon Bob Ross sold Tuesday for more than $600,000 at a Los Angeles auction, marking the first of 30 Ross works being offered to benefit public TV stations affected by federal funding cuts.
At Bonhams’ live auction, a serene snow scene titled Winter’s Peace, painted entirely during a 1993 episode of The Joy of Painting, fetched $318,000 from a phone bidder. Auctioneer Aaron Bastian highlighted the charitable purpose of the sale: “For a good cause — and you get the painting,” he said. Invoking Ross’ signature optimism, Bastian added, “Bob would remind you that this is your world, and you can do anything you want.”
Another 1993 piece, the verdant Home in the Valley, sold for $229,100, while Cliffside brought $114,800. Final prices include the buyer’s premium charged by the auction house. The identities of the buyers were not disclosed.
All three works far exceeded pre-auction estimates, which had capped at around $50,000 each. Additional Ross paintings are scheduled for auction at Bonhams in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on Jan. 27, with subsequent sales in New York and elsewhere. Proceeds will support stations that license content from American Public Television.
Ross, a public TV mainstay in the 1980s and ’90s, was known for his distinctive hair, gentle teaching style, and encouraging words. The special auction aims to assist smaller and rural stations struggling to cover licensing fees for popular programs, including Ross’ own show, America’s Test Kitchen, Julia Child’s French Chef Classics, and This Old House.
“These stations have been the gateway for generations of viewers to discover not just Bob’s gentle teaching, but the transformative power of the arts,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc.
Funding for public broadcasting has been significantly reduced, following the Trump administration’s request to Congress to eliminate $1.1 billion from the budget, affecting roughly 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations nationwide.
Ross, who died in 1995 at age 52 from complications related to cancer, hosted The Joy of Painting for 11 years. A former Air Force drill sergeant, he became a cultural pioneer for his calm, reassuring demeanor and signature phrases about “happy little clouds,” “happy little trees,” and “happy accidents.” His popularity has only grown since his passing, with a resurgence of interest during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
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