Before he became a TV star, Ross also sold thousands of his landscape paintings at flea markets, fairs, and malls, often for small sums of cash. The show — The Joy of Painting, which aired between 1983 and 1994 — was a huge hit and was broadcast on ~300 stations to 80m+ people every day.

They pooled together their life savings, launched Bob Ross, Inc., and set out to make Ross into a TV star. The Joy of Painting became so popular that it was eventually carried by more than 275 TV stations, spawning an empire that included art supplies, how-to books, and certified Bob Ross instructors. He inspired kids and adults alike to paint their own masterpieces, creating their own “happy little trees” and “charming little cabins.” Did you know a Bob Ross board game existed? Well, if you didn’t, you’re in for a treat. Bob Ross the Art of Chill is a fun tabletop game that can be played by 2-4 people. Your objective is to finish one of Bob Ross’s artworks using brushes and colors from your hand of cards to win the coveted “Chill” status. The more things you paint, the more chill points you earn! On occasion, Bob Ross, Inc. leases out a few paintings to galleries and exhibits around the country: But this only answers a part of the mystery. What about all the other paintings Ross gave away or sold during his life? The open marketKowalski said that she knows a true Bob Ross original painting by inspecting the brushwork and other signs of Ross’s hand. She also looks for a specific detail in the quality of his signature that she refuses to disclose. Inspired by the TV painter Bill Alexander, he started painting landscapes on gold mining pans and selling them at local markets in Alaska. Though he died in 1995, the late TV painter remains an omnipresent cultural staple. His Chia Pet perm, nap-inducing voice, and meme-worthy sayings — “ Happy little trees!” — have transcended time. On YouTube, old episodes of his show, The Joy of Painting, boast ~ 450m views. The bottom line is supply and demand: Bob Ross paintings are extremely tough to find, and more people want them than can have them,” he says. “They’re also the ideal conversation pieces, since they are almost universally recognizable.”

Happy Little Accidents is a delightful collection of Bob Ross quotes, full of encouraging words and insightful wisdom. The book also includes an introduction and a biography of the famous painter. Some of his gems include:Over the course of his career, Ross filmed 381 episodes of The Joy of Painting. For each episode, he painted 3 versions of the same artwork — one before, one during, and one after taping. paintings are in the possession of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. As a part of Ross’s agreement with Bob Ross, Inc., the paintings he created for TV were work for hire, meaning the company maintained ownership of his work. Unlike traditional art collectors, those who possess Bob Ross paintings tend to be ordinary folks who don’t know what they’re in possession of.

Those are the wise words of Bob Ross — American painter, art instructor, television host, and every artist’s best friend. Known for his fast and simple “wet-on-wet” painting technique, he reached the hearts of art lovers all over the world with his popular TV program, The Joy of Painting .

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Ultimately, the real reason there aren’t more Bob Ross paintings up for sale is that the artist never wanted them to be a commodity. When the couple decided to sell it, they turned to Modern Artifact, an art gallery and dealer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If a painting is a Bob Ross original, the owner is provided with a certificate by Bob Ross Inc. attesting its authenticity. Annette Kowalski authenticates paintings sent in person to the company.

I would personally categorize Ross’s work as a hybrid between fine art and entertainment memorabilia,” she says. Today, 1,165 Bob Ross originals — a trove worth millions of dollars — sit in cardboard boxes inside the company’s nondescript office building in Herndon, Virginia. Pre-fame, in Alaska, he sold thousands of paintings. And even while famous, he painted nearly every day at seminars, events, and charity auctions in between tapings.

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When hot liquid is poured into this mug, a Bob Ross painting will appear. Once the mug cools down, the image will gradually disappear. Bob will stay.