Public television viewers who grew up with Bob Ross’s calming voice and gentle brushstrokes will soon have a chance to see his work serve a new purpose. Thirty of the late artist’s original paintings are being auctioned to support PBS stations hit hard by recent federal funding cuts.
Ross, who became a cultural icon in the 1980s and ’90s with his show The Joy of Painting, believed art was for everyone. “He 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.”
The paintings will be sold through Bonhams, with the first auction scheduled for November 11 in Los Angeles. Additional auctions will follow in London, New York, Boston, and online. All profits will go toward public television stations struggling to pay licensing fees for beloved shows such as The Best of Joy of Painting, America’s Test Kitchen, Julia Child’s French Chef Classics, and This Old House.
Small and rural stations, in particular, are feeling the pinch after Congress eliminated $1.1 billion in federal funding for public broadcasting at the request of President Donald Trump. Nearly 600 PBS and NPR stations nationwide have been left to search for new revenue streams. Some have launched emergency fundraising drives; others have been forced to cut programming or staff.
Ross passed away in 1995 from cancer, but his influence only grew after his death. During the COVID-19 pandemic, new generations discovered his half-hour lessons on painting “happy little trees” and “happy accidents.” His calm demeanor, once a sharp contrast to his years as an Air Force drill sergeant, brought peace to millions of viewers navigating uncertain times.
The 30 paintings now headed to auction span Ross’s career and showcase his trademark landscapes—peaceful mountain vistas, glassy lakes, and serene forests. Many were created live on-air in under 30 minutes, capturing not only his talent but his joy in the creative process.
Bonhams expects the paintings to fetch between $850,000 and $1.4 million. Earlier this year, two of Ross’s works sold for $114,800 and $95,750.
For many, Ross’s art carried a deeper message beyond technique. His words—”We don’t make mistakes, just happy accidents”—have long been embraced as encouragement to see beauty in imperfection. In an age of fear and uncertainty, his gentle reminders of hope, peace, and joy remain profoundly relevant.
This auction continues that spirit. What Ross gave freely through his art is now being used to ensure that families in big cities and rural communities alike can continue to access uplifting programming. In a way, it’s another one of those “happy little accidents” Ross loved to talk about—his art providing hope and support decades after his passing.