Three paintings by late artist Bob Ross — who taught art to viewers nationwide for more than a decade in the 1980s and early Nineties on PBS TV series, The Joy of Painting — sold for a total of $1.27 million in support of public television following the devastating federal cuts by the Trump administration. Auction house Bonhams Skinner announced the news on Jan. 28 and detailed that Ross’ 1990 oil painting “Change of Seasons” surpassed its estimate of $60,000 and brought in $787,900, leading the sales. The painting, created during the TV series’ 20th season, depicts autumn trees framing snowy mountains in the background, and was described by Ross himself as “just a beautiful little painting’.”The other two landscape paintings by Ross included Valley View (1990) and Babbling Brook (1993), which sold for $203,700 and $279,900, respectively — also exceeding their presale estimates. The trio of art collectively garnered more than half of the auction’s total sales of $2.4 million at Bonhams Skinner’s “Americana: Crafting a Nation: Art, History & Legacy” auction, held in Marlborough, Massachusetts.⁠“To see Bob’s paintings resonate so powerfully reminds me that his work continues to bring joy and meaning to people’s lives,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc., in a statement. “I’m hopeful that Bob’s work can provide meaningful support to stations nationwide.