"Bob Ross' Iconic 'Joy of Painting' Artwork Hits Market for Record-Breaking $10 Million"

A painting from the first episode of Bob Ross's The Joy of Painting titled "A Walk in the Woods" is up for sale for $9.85 million, potentially becoming the most expensive Ross piece ever sold. The painting, depicting a stone path, pond, and trees, was created in under 30 minutes during the show's 1983 premiere. Ross's popularity has surged in recent years, with younger generations discovering his appeal through platforms like Twitch and Netflix. While Ross painted over 30,000 works in his lifetime, only a fraction are available, with his company, Bob Ross Inc., holding onto an estimated 1,165 pieces. The rest are believed to have been given away or sold, reflecting Ross's desire for his art to be accessible to all.