Bob Ross created the bulk of his work live on television between 1983 and 1994, producing complete landscapes in each 30-minute episode. Wikipedia Many of those works languished largely in private hands or in the vaults of Bob Ross, Inc. (which still owns much of his output) and rarely appeared on the open market. TIME
That’s changing. In August 2025, at Bonhams’ American Art Online sale, two early-’90s Ross mountain-and-lake scenes far exceeded expectations—selling for $114,800 and $95,750, more than doubling or tripling their estimates. KQED These performances shattered Ross’s previous auction records (which lingered around $50,000–$60,000) and have thrust him into the conversation of serious collectible artists.
One particularly pivotal work now in the spotlight is A Walk in the Woods, the very first painting Ross completed and demonstrated on television in January 1983. A Minnesota gallery currently lists it with an asking price nearing $9.85 million—a staggering figure that underscores the symbolic and historic weight collectors place on it. Wikipedia
A Unique Auction, With a Purpose
The latest campaign of auctions has a mission beyond mere market speculation. Thirty paintings by Ross are being put up for sale through Bonhams, beginning November 2025 in Los Angeles, with further sales to follow in London, New York, Boston, and online. AP News The proceeds are earmarked to bolster public television stations, especially in small and rural markets, which have been hard hit by federal funding cuts.
Bonhams itself has estimated that the full set of thirty paintings may collectively generate $850,000 to $1.4 million in revenue. In fact, the two startling Ross sales from August have already broken records and raised expectations about what the rest of the auction lot might achieve.
Thus, this auction series merges cultural value and philanthropic strategy: Ross, whose artistic mission was always about accessibility and encouragement, is once again serving public media—even posthumously.
Why So Rare—and Why So Valuable?
A few factors converge to give these auctions their punch:
- Scarcity despite proliferation
Though Ross is believed to have painted tens of thousands of works, many remain in the custody of Bob Ross, Inc., and most were never intended for commercial sale. Wikipedia The limited number of works that do reach public auctions is now seeing heightened competition. - Cultural nostalgia and iconography
Ross’s soothing presence, unflappable optimism, and “happy little tree” vernacular have endeared him to generations. His paintings carry both an aesthetic and cultural resonance, especially in a time of renewed interest in mood-boosting, feel-good art. - Record-breaking momentum
The success of recent big-ticket works has reset benchmarks. Collectors now view Ross as more than a quirky TV painter—they’re treating him as an underappreciated artist whose market is still being written. - Provenance & authentication
Many works being auctioned carry seals, certificates, or connections to Bob Ross, Inc., which bolster confidence in authenticity—crucial in a market historically rife with uncertainty. KQED
What to Watch
As the November auctions approach, eyes will be on several variables:
- Final sale prices, which may continue to shatter expectations
- Which works draw the strongest competition (e.g. early vs. later period, televised vs. private)
- Whether A Walk in the Woods ultimately sells at its nearly $10 million asking price
- How the funds raised impact public television, fulfilling the altruistic vision tied to the auction
The auction of Bob Ross paintings is not just about dollars and bids. It’s a moment where the whimsical landscapes of an iconic TV art instructor intersect with serious arts investment and social purpose—proof that even “happy little trees” can cast a long financial and cultural shadow.
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