Bob Ross paintings sold to benefit public TV

Atrio of Bob Ross paintings sold for more than $600,000 in a Los Angeles charity auction Monday to help support public television programming that is struggling after government funding was slashed.

- By Sanpra McDonaLp

“CLIFFSIDE,” painted in 1990 by Bob Ross for an instructional book, sold for $90,000 at an L.A. auction.

(Bonhams)

American Public Television, the national public program, offered the landscape paintings from the beloved artist in a fundraising effort after the Trump administration and Congress pulled more than $1 billion in government support earlier this year.

“We're thrilled with the results of this auction, which has surpassed our expectations,” Jim Dunford, president and chief executive of American Public Television, said in a news release. “These funds will help local stations continue to serve their communities with impactful programming. We're deeply grateful to Bob Ross Inc. for shining a spotlight on the need to support public media, at this critical time.”

Ross’ work is legendary for the way he spoke pleasantly to television viewers as he created images of mountains, trees, snow and clouds with quick flicks ofhis brush on his much-beloved public television show, “The Joy of Painting,” which ran from 1983 until 1994, a year before his death.

The auction took place at the Los Angeles offices of international auctioneer Bonhams, but most bidders did not show up in person, placing bids instead via phone calls to auction workers and online.

The frameless paintings satinacorneroftheroom on easels, reminiscent of Ross’ humble TV studio.