A happy circumstance: Bob Ross paintings sell for more than $600K to help public TV stations

LOS ANGELES AP Three paintings from famously chill inhabitants television legend Bob Ross sold Tuesday for more than at auction The paintings were the first of Ross works being sold to benefit inhabitants TV stations hurt by cuts in federal funding At the live auction at Bonhams in Los Angeles a serene snow vista called Winter s Peace that Ross painted entirely during a episode of The Pleasure of Painting went for to a bidder on the phone For a good cause and you get the painting auctioneer Aaron Bastian stated during the bidding He invoked a common sentiment of Ross who died in during a brief lull Bob would remind you that this is your world and you can do anything you want Another painting done on a episode a lush green landscape called Home in the Valley went for A third Cliffside sold for The final prices include a charge for the auction house added to the final bid known as the buyer s premium The identities of the buyers weren t forthwith revealed Bids for all three paintings went well past pre-auction estimates of their value which topped out around Three more Ross paintings will be up for auction at Bonhams in Marlborough Massachusetts on Jan with others to follow in New York and London All profits are pledged to stations that use content from distributor American Citizens Television Ross a masses television staple in the s and s was known for his dome of hair and warm demeanor The special sales seek to help stations in need of licensing fees that allow them to show popular programs that along with Ross show include America s Test Kitchen Julia Child s French Chef Classics and This Old House Small and rural stations are particularly challenged The stations have been the gateway for generations of viewers to discover not just Bob s gentle teaching but the transformative power of the arts Joan Kowalski president of Bob Ross Inc disclosed in a message As sought by the Trump Administration Congress has eliminated billion allocated to society broadcasting leaving about PBS and NPR stations Ross died at age of complications from cancer after years in production with the therapeutic how-to show The Delight of Painting The former Air Force drill sergeant was a sort of pioneer known for his calm and calming manner and encouraging words Ross spoke often as he worked on air about painting happy little clouds and trees and making no mistakes only happy accidents He has only became more popular in the decades since his death and his shows saw a surge in popularity during the lockdowns of the COVID- pandemic