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Where Are All the Bob Ross Paintings? We Found Them.
Bob
Ross painted more than 1,000 landscapes for his television show — so
why are they so hard to find? We solve one of the internet’s favorite
little mysteries.
Video
By Larry Buchanan, Aaron Byrd, Alicia DeSantis and Emily Rhyne
Watched the video? Here are a few more details.
What will be in the Smithsonian?
Bob
Ross made three versions of each painting that appeared on “The Joy of
Painting.” The first was made before the show, to be used as a
reference. He painted the second during the 26-minute taping, sometimes
with last-minute improvisations. The third was made afterward, for
instructional books.
The donation to the Smithsonian includes the book version of “Blue Ridge Falls,” from Season 30 (1994):
CreditBob Ross Inc.
Image
As well as all three versions of the painting “On a Clear Day,” from Season 14 (1988):
CreditBob Ross Inc.
Image
Other
items include a converted stepladder that was used as an easel used
during the first season of the show, and two handwritten notebooks that
were used to plan the production of Seasons 2 and 3.
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How were the objects chosen?
“The
hardest part was choosing the paintings,” said Eric Jentsch, the
entertainment and sports curator for the National Museum of American
History. Mr. Jentsch and his colleague Ryan Lintelman visited the
offices of Bob Ross Inc. in Herndon, Va., to find the images and
materials that best exemplified Mr. Ross’s lifetime of work.
The
Smithsonian also acquired fan letters sent to Mr. Ross, including some
written after he died of lymphoma in 1995 at 52. “These letters help
reveal the significant impact Ross has had on diverse individuals and
communities, helping them to express and feel better about themselves,”
Mr. Jentsch said.
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The paintings and other objects officially became part of the museum’s permanent collection on March 22.
For now, the Smithsonian has no plans to display the paintings.
How many Bob Ross paintings are there exactly?
We don’t know.
According to an analysis by the website FiveThirtyEight,
Mr. Ross painted in 381 of the 403 episodes of the show (the rest
featured a guest). If three versions were made of each of those
paintings, at least 1,143 originals would exist. Bob Ross Inc. estimates
that it has 1,165 paintings stored on site.
But
Mr. Ross also painted as an instructor, as well as for public events
and for charity, so there may be additional paintings out there.
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How much does one cost?
In
the rare cases when a Bob Ross painting does surface, it depends who is
buying. Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc., said she has seen
authentic Ross paintings sell online for $8,000 to $10,000 in recent
years.
After we set out on our quest, a
three-panel painting described as a “Bob Ross Original Oil Painting
Triptych Mountain Landscape” surfaced on eBay. It is listed at $55,000:
CrediteBay
Image
How do I have a painting authenticated?
Bob
Ross Inc. will authenticate paintings that are sent to be inspected in
person by Annette Kowalski, Joan Kowalski’s mother and the woman who
discovered Mr. Ross. (The company will not certify images that can be
viewed only as scans or digital files.)
Annette
Kowalski said that in addition to the brushwork and other signs of Mr.
Ross’s hand, she looks for a specific detail in the quality of his
signature that she declined to describe:
CreditBob Ross Inc.
Image
If a painting is certified as an original Bob Ross, the owner will be provided with documentation attesting its authenticity.
Can I visit Bob Ross Inc.?
Bob Ross Inc. is not open to visitors. Some of the original paintings are displayed at the Bob Ross Art Workshop & Gallery
in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Starting next year, people will be able to
visit the studio in Muncie, Ind., where the show was taped.
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Is it true that there are no people in the paintings?
In
the 11 years that Mr. Ross painted on television, there are only a few
known instances when he included a human figure in his landscapes. In
“Morning Walk” (Series 17, Episode 11, from 1989), two people stroll
through the woods:
CreditBob Ross Inc.
Image
In “Campfire” (Series 3, Episode 10, 1984), a figure in a hat leans against a tree:
CreditBob Ross Inc.
Image
According to Annette Kowalski, “Campfire” was among Mr. Ross’s least favorite paintings.
Though cabins often appear in Mr. Ross’s landscapes, they are rarely depicted with chimneys (another sign of people).
How did the Kowalskis come to own the company?
Originally
Mr. Ross and his wife, Jane, shared ownership of the company with
Annette and Walt Kowalski, who had helped to finance Mr. Ross’s early
career. Jane Ross died in 1992; when Mr. Ross died in 1995, the company
was left to the Kowalskis alone.
What’s the name of the Kowalskis’ dog?
Cricket.
CreditEmily Rhyne/The New York Times
Image
What were the names of Bob Ross’s squirrels?
Mr.
Ross had several pet squirrels, a number of which he featured on his
show. One was named Bobette — a combination of Bob and Annette. Bobette
appeared in several episodes in Series 18 (1989). Another squirrel,
Peapod, appeared in Series 22 and 23 (1991). Peapod Jr. joined in Series
30 and 31 (1993-94).
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What’s the story with the hair?
Bob Ross did not always have a perm:
CreditBob Ross Inc.
Image
According to Annette Kowalski, Mr. Ross originally chose to perm his hair because it was cheaper than getting frequent haircuts.
Later, she said, he disliked the hairstyle but did not feel he could change it because it was depicted in the company logo:
CreditBob Ross Inc.
Image
Who was Bill Alexander?
William
Alexander was the creator of “The Magic of Oil Painting,” which aired
on PBS from 1974 to 1982. In 1984, he symbolically handed over his brush
to Mr. Ross in a marketing campaign.
They later had a falling out. In a 1991 interview with The New York Times, Mr. Alexander said, “He betrayed me.” “I invented
‘wet on wet,’” he added. “I trained him, and he is copying me — what
bothers me is not just that he betrayed me, but that he thinks he can do
it better.”
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Did Bob Ross want his paintings to be shown?
In 1994, the talk show host Phil Donahue asked Mr. Ross to “say out loud your work will never hang in a museum.”
“Well, maybe it will,” Mr. Ross replied. “But probably not the Smithsonian.”
Image
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