Bob Ross Paintings To Be Auctioned To Raise Money For Public TV Stations After Funding Cuts

CBS Bay Area

October 8, 2025

Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to defray the costs of programming for small and rural public television stations suffering under cuts in federal funding.

Ross, a public television stalwart in the 1980s and '90s, "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 30 paintings to be auctioned span his career. Most were created on-air during single episodes of Ross's show, "The Joy of Painting." Ross was known for his calm demeanor. During the show, he often spoke about painting happy little clouds and trees, and making no mistakes, only "happy accidents." He died of cancer complications in 1995.

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