Buzz
From 1983 to 1994, Bob Ross was the face of tranquility through his PBS series, Joy of Painting, which captured the hearts of many viewers. His calming demeanor and approach to art made him a beloved figure for generations, offering a soothing escape for those who tuned in.
Now, the first painting he ever created for the show, titled A Walk in the Woods, has made a comeback. If you have $9.8 million, it could be yours.
As reported by The Washington Post, this artwork has stayed with a single owner for the last forty years—an individual who volunteered at the PBS station in Virginia where the episode was filmed. Ross gave the painting as a donation, and the station later auctioned it off. The volunteer likely purchased it for $100 or even less.
The current owner recently approached the Minneapolis-based art dealer Modern Artifact, which purchased the painting for an undisclosed price and is now offering it for sale at $9.8 million.
The painting, which follows Bob Ross's signature style by featuring a tree-lined pathway, was verified by Bob Ross Inc., the entity responsible for the rights to Ross’s show. After comparing the piece to footage from the show, the company confirmed it was not only an authentic Ross painting but also the exact one seen on air. (Ross typically painted three versions: one before filming, one during, and another for future reference.)
Most Ross originals ended up at Bob Ross Inc., which occasionally donates to The Smithsonian or loans pieces for exhibition, though the majority remain stored at their Virginia facility. From time to time, a piece will surface for sale, either from a PBS auction or directly from Ross. In 2019, a painting that Ross sold at an art fair in Anchorage in 1980 for $60 resurfaced and was bought by Modern Artifact for $10,000. That now seems like a steal.
