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

Bob Ross
Bob Ross Photo by FMT licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Thirty original paintings by the late Bob Ross, the beloved, soft-spoken painter known for his soothing voice and “happy little trees,” are heading to auction to help support public television stations struggling with federal funding cuts.

Ross, a fixture on public television throughout the 1980s and ’90s, “devoted his career to making art accessible to everyone,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc. “This auction allows his legacy to continue supporting the very platform that introduced his art and positivity to millions.”

The first three paintings will be sold by Bonhams in Los Angeles on Nov. 11, followed by additional auctions in London, New York, Boston, and online. Proceeds will go to public television stations that air programming distributed by American Public Television.

Funds raised will help offset the licensing costs for popular shows like “The Best of Joy of Painting,” “America’s Test Kitchen,” “Julia Child’s French Chef Classics,” and “This Old House.” Smaller and rural PBS stations, which have been hit hardest, are expected to benefit the most.

Following President Donald Trump’s recommendation, Congress has cut $1.1 billion in federal funding for public broadcasting, forcing roughly 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations to seek alternative funding. Many have launched emergency donation drives, while others have had to lay off employees and scale back programming.

Ross, who passed away in 1995 from cancer, hosted The Joy of Painting for 11 years, creating a global audience with his calm demeanor and gentle encouragement. His work experienced a major revival during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when fans rediscovered his uplifting tutorials.

Throughout the show, Ross often reminded viewers that there were no mistakes in art—only “happy accidents.”

The 30 paintings set for auction span his career and feature his signature peaceful landscapes—snowy mountains, tranquil lakes, and forest scenes. Most were created live on air in under 30 minutes, the length of a single episode.

Bonhams previously sold two of Ross’s early 1990s works for $114,800 and $95,750. The upcoming collection of 30 paintings is expected to fetch between $850,000 and $1.4 million, according to the auction house.