Bob Ross may have left this world in 1995, but his legacy is stepping into the spotlight once again—this time with a purpose. Thirty original “happy little” paintings created for his iconic PBS series The Joy of Painting are heading to auction, with all proceeds going to support public television stations reeling from federal funding cuts .
Why Bob Ross’s Art Is More Than Just Nostalgia
For decades, Bob Ross’s soothing voice and signature “wet-on-wet” technique brought calm to millions. Now, his art is being mobilized as a lifeline for the very network that gave his show a home. The Trump administration’s recent cancellation of $1.1 billion in public media funding has left many local PBS stations—especially in rural areas—on the brink of closure .
“It will motivate bidders because it will help public television,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc. and daughter of the couple who worked closely with Ross in the 1980s. “The marriage of the two ideas came together and then I couldn’t let loose of it until I set it all in motion” .
What’s in the Auction?
The collection includes 30 original canvases—many painted live on air during episodes of The Joy of Painting. These are the first works Ross created for television to ever be offered for public sale.
Highlights include serene mountain vistas, misty lakes, and, of course, those beloved “happy little trees.” Kowalski handpicked each piece simply by asking: “What’s the prettiest?” .
The auction kicks off on November 11 in Los Angeles with three paintings, followed by staggered sales of the remaining 27 throughout 2026 in New York, Boston, and LA via Bonhams .
A Cultural Icon with a Cause
Bob Ross’s cultural footprint has only grown since his death at age 52. During the pandemic, his calming presence saw a massive resurgence on streaming platforms and social media, with Gen Z embracing his gentle philosophy as an antidote to digital chaos.
“During the pandemic, he really sort of came back into his own,” said Robin Starr, general manager of Bonhams in Massachusetts. “How do you not appreciate happy little trees?” .
Recent sales underscore the demand: two privately owned Ross paintings fetched $114,800 and $95,750 in August 2025 alone .
Where the Money Goes
All proceeds will flow to American Public Television (APT), which syndicates programs—including The Joy of Painting—to over 350 public TV stations nationwide.
“For a healthy democracy, you need healthy discourse,” said APT CEO Jim Dunford. “You need information that you can trust, but you also need a place that celebrates and gathers community. And I think public television does all of that” .
More Than Paint on Canvas
Stored in a Virginia warehouse alongside roughly 1,000 other Ross originals, these 30 paintings represent more than artistic value—they’re a bridge between past and present, art and activism, calm and cause.
In a time of political and cultural turbulence, Bob Ross’s quiet message—“We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents”—feels more relevant than ever. And now, his art has a chance to protect the very institution that helped share that message with the world.
