Bob Ross Painting For Sale: The Most Wanted Artwork
He’s known for his “happy little trees” and making art accessible to everyone. Bob Ross may not be in the same league as Leonardo da Vinci, but he had a special way of humanizing the art of painting. He taught many generations how to paint, and how to just enjoy creating art regardless of your skill level.
In recent years, we’ve seen a resurging interest in Ross’s work. Today, originals, if you can get your hands on one, cost thousands of dollars.
Who Was Bob Ross?
Bob Ross was more than a painter; he was an art instructor and television host. From 1983 to 1994, Ross created and hosted the program The Joy of Painting which aired on PBS in the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America.
Ross was born in Daytona Beach, Florida. His first love wasn’t art – it was animals. As a child, he cared for injured animals, including a squirrel named Peapod which was featured in several episodes of his show.
It wasn’t until he went into the military that Ross became interested in painting. He attended an art class at the Anchorage U.S.O. club, and he reportedly found himself at odds with his art instructors quite often. His teachers, he said, were more interested in abstract painting.
While working part-time as a bartender, Ross discovered The Magic of Oil Painting television show hosted by Bill Alexander, a German painter. Alexander used a 16th-century style of oil painting known as “alla prima” which allowed him to finish paintings in less than 30 minutes.
Ross learned Alexander’s technique through his television show. He began creating and selling Alaskan landscapes he painted on the inside of novelty gold pans. Eventually, he started earning more from selling his paintings than his military salary. He retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service.
Ross went to Florida to study under Alexander before joining the Alexander Magic Art Supplies Company as a tutor and salesman. Anette Kowalski, who attended one of Ross’s sessions, was convinced that he could succeed on his own and convinced him to do so.
The origins of Ross’s famous TV show, The Joy of Painting, are unknown, but it was filmed at a PBS station in Muncie, Indiana.
With help from Annette and Walt Kowalski, Ross was able to build a $15 million business by selling his how-to books, line of art, and marketing his painting classes taught by teachers who were trained in the “Bob Ross method.”
Ross used the wet-on-wet (alla prima) oil painting technique in his shows, and he painted three versions of every painting he featured on the show. He was known for using catchphrases on his show, like “happy little trees” and describing mistakes as “happy accidents.” He was most known and loved for his positive attitude and his ability to make painting a joyful experience.
Much of Ross’s work was landscapes, such as lakes, mountains, log cabins and snow. These paintings were largely influenced by his years living in Alaska, where he was stationed while in the Air Force.
Throughout his lifetime, it is estimated that Ross completed more than 30,000 paintings. His work rarely contained human subjects or even signs of human habitation. Occasionally, he would include cabins in his work, but he always left the chimney without any signs of smoke.
Ross was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1994 and passed away on July 4, 1995.
How Bob Ross Made Art Accessible to Everyone
The Joy of Painting television show made art accessible to everyone. Ross’s positive attitude and simple way of explaining painting techniques opened the door for every viewer to tap into their creative side.
After all, Ross was a firm believer that everyone had inherent artistic talent and could become an accomplished artist if given the practice, time and encouragement. Ross believed that mistakes were nothing more than “happy accidents.”
Ross took art out of the galleries and into people’s living rooms. As many fans say, he made you believe that anything was possible. He made viewers feel comfortable, and because they were in the comfort of their own homes, painting – and art in general – became less intimidating.
Somehow, he managed to make art look easy and fun. And he invited you to paint with him.
Many artists attribute their success to Ross, particularly those who didn’t have access to art education.
It wasn’t just Ross’s instruction that made him so popular with viewers. It was his ability to make artists feel confident in themselves. “It’s your world. We just show you how, but you make the decisions,” he would say. In this way, Ross served more as a guide than an instructor with a rigid curriculum. He encouraged experimentation, and told students to take their paintings in any direction they pleased.
Why Everyone Wants to Buy a Bob Ross Painting
It’s not surprising that Bob Ross’s work is high demand now. Ross was well-known while he was alive, but like many other artists, people took a greater interest in him after his death.
Some art lovers want to buy Bob Ross’s original oil paintings because they want a piece of pop culture in their collection. Ross is a household name, but it’s not his work that has everyone’s attention – it's his attitude. Ross's name and face has appeared on just about everything, from t-shirts to board games.
For others, it’s about the nostalgia or pure love for his style of painting.
Still, you can expect to spend thousands of dollars on a Bob Ross original painting for sale – if you can find an authentic one. For the average Joe, that price tag may make his work out of reach. But for devoted art lovers and collectors, it’s a bargain.
Getting your hands on a true original painting will be challenging; some say impossible. Ross donated his paintings to local PBS stations for fundraising. True originals are in the hands of private collectors. You may find them on eBay from time to time, but they sell for thousands of dollars and it’s hard to determine whether it’s a true original or just a copy from a fan.
Authentic Bob Ross original painting
If you want to be sure if you are acquiring an authentic Bob Ross painting is better if you reach his current representants. They are the ones who have a clear inventory control. It is not a surprise that his art is a wanted painting work.
Also with them you can have a clear idea about Bob Ross original artwork cost. Something that we can tell you for sure is that is a good investment according to the market. A lot of fans keep googling ” Bob Ross canvas for sale” with limited queries then they decide to look for “Where to buy Bob Ross original painting?” for them to finish with a fair question: Are Bob Ross paintings for sale.
At the end some fans give up and they just end consulting google for a Bob Ross style painting for sale. But one thing is for sure, we can find a lot of copy cats but there was only one Bob Ross that move countless generations.
If you know any Bob Ross painting for sell, then we can conclude that you are an extremely lucky person who has reach a well sought item.
