Three original paintings by the beloved television artist Bob Ross will be auctioned in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on January 27, 2024, with proceeds benefiting public television. The artworks, entitled “Change of Seasons,” “Babbling Brook,” and “Valley View,” showcase Ross’s signature style of serene landscapes featuring his “happy little trees.”
The auction, organized by Bonhams Skinner, marks a rare opportunity for fans of “The Joy of Painting” to own a piece of art created by Ross, who passed away in 1995. Joan Kowalski, CEO of Bob Ross Inc. and daughter of Ross’s business partners, initiated the auction to honor his legacy while supporting public media.
Kowalski noted that previous auctions of Ross’s work have consistently received higher bids than anticipated. “Bob was very devoted to public television,” she remarked, emphasizing that he would have relished the chance to contribute to its support. The three paintings have not been publicly displayed since their original broadcasts on television, making this auction particularly special. Kowalski explained, “Our appraiser has told us that the paintings he created on television will bring the highest bids, because it’s not often that you get to hang a painting on the wall, and you’ve got a video of the artist actually creating it.”
The auction house expects each piece to fetch between $25,000 and $60,000, with “Change of Seasons” predicted to attract the highest bids. Robin Starr, vice president and general manager of Bonhams Skinner, indicated that there has already been significant interest in the artworks. “Auction people are a little like baseball people,” she said, cautiously optimistic about the final sale prices. “I think we can assume they’re going to do quite well.”
The impact of previous auctions has already been felt within the public broadcasting community. Judy Barlow, vice president of growth at American Public Television, shared that the success of a prior auction enabled the organization to waive licensing fees for local stations for one year. This has been crucial as federal funding for public television has been reduced. Barlow noted, “It was such a meaningful contribution, and to be able to tell the stations they would have the Create channel for free for a year was just something that we were all not expecting.”
The Create channel airs various lifestyle and cooking programs, including “This Old House,” “America’s Test Kitchen,” and “Rick Steves’ Europe.” Barlow highlighted the importance of these programs in providing “lifelong learning” opportunities to communities nationwide.
Bidding for the paintings will commence at noon, and interested participants can place bids in person at the Marlborough showroom, online, or over the phone with a Bonhams representative. Those unable to purchase an original Ross painting can still view the artworks in person starting Thursday. Starr encouraged the public to schedule a visit, stating, “You’ve seen them on TV, but to really see how soft the sky color is versus the impasto in the water is an experience in itself.”
This auction not only offers a chance to acquire a treasured piece of art but also plays a significant role in supporting public television, a cause that Bob Ross passionately championed throughout his career.
