Bob Ross, the iconic TV painter and host of The Joy of Painting, is known for his soothing voice, calming demeanor, and ability to make painting accessible to everyone. His paintings are often characterized by their lush landscapes, happy little trees, and inspirational messages.
Now, Ross’s first ever on-air painting is on sale for $9.8 million. The painting, titled “A Walk in the Woods,” was created on the first episode of The Joy of Painting in 1983. It features a serene scene with trees, rocks, and a river, and it is one of Ross’s most popular paintings.
The painting is being sold by Modern Artifact, a Minneapolis-based art gallery. Gallery owner Ryan Nelson said that he hopes the painting will go to a museum so that everyone can enjoy it.
“It is season one, episode one of what you would call the rookie card for Bob Ross,” gallery owner Ryan Nelson said of the work, per The Guardian. Nelson added that he doesn’t expect the work to sell quickly because of the cost.
“What this piece represents is the people’s artist,” the gallery owner continued. “This isn’t an institution that’s telling you that Bob Ross is great. It’s not some high-brow gallery telling you that Bob Ross is great. This is the masses, the population in the world that are saying that Bob Ross is great.”
“A Walk in the Woods” was originally sold for an undisclosed amount to a volunteer to raise funds for the local PBS station. The painting was displayed in her home for almost four decades before she contacted Nelson about purchasing it. He bought it last year, then gave it the “not for sale” price of $9.89 million, the outlet noted.
“Ryan would prefer to take [the painting] out, tour it around to museums and things like that so people can enjoy it and appreciate it,” Nelson’s publicist said. “He will take offers but he’s not in a hurry to sell it.”
Bob Ross’ first ever TV painting sells for $10 million at auction, 40 years after he created it in 30 minutes. pic.twitter.com/2734JoWlvz
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) September 21, 2023
