Bob Ross’ first television painting, “A Walk in the Woods,” is selling at auction for nearly $10 MILLION – 40 years after the famed artist created it in 30 minutes

American painter Bob Ross’s first television painting, titled “A Walk in the Woods,” sold for $9.8 million at an auction in Minneapolis.

The painting, on display at the Modern Artifact art gallery, went to an anonymous buyer. It was the first of more than 400 paintings Ross created, which he painted in just 30 minutes.

Ross, who was recently portrayed by Owen Wilson in a film, created his oil-painted canvas depicting an autumnal scene with a pond in the forest, along with his signature transcribed in red in the lower left corner.

Ryan Nelson, the gallery’s owner, said he acquired the painting from a lady who worked on his show and decided to buy it after the episode was taped.

“What this piece represents is the people’s artist.” This is not an institution telling you that Bob Ross is great.

“There are over 350,000 searches for Bob Ross on Google every month,” Nelson said.

Ross’s first-ever painting, “A Walk in the Woods,” sold in Minneapolis to an unknown buyer for $9.8 million

In his tutorial videos, he gave step-by-step instructions using simple tools and the same colors every week

According to ArtNews.com, many of the pieces were donated to the Smithsonian Museum, various PBS member stations, or stored by Bob Ross, Inc

Nelson bought the painting last year and then gave it an unsaleable price of $9.85 million, publicist Megan Hoffman said.

The late painter died in 1995 but made a huge impact on the art scene with his soothing voice, leading viewers on a journey of peace and tranquility.

He hosted the show from 1983 to 1994, speaking directly to viewers in each episode, encouraging them to paint with him as he created idealized scenes of streams with mountains, waterfalls, and rustic cabins and mills – all very quickly.

Ross’s PBS series aired for a total of 31 seasons and 403 episodes, and in his very first episode he invited viewers to find the “artist hidden within each and every one of us.”

In his tutorial videos, he gave step-by-step instructions using simple tools and the same colors every week.

“That’s no secret. Anyone can paint. “All you need is a dream in your heart and a little practice,” Ross said in his first episode.

Ross’s look has also become iconic, as he stood out big with his permed hair, mustache, beard, big glasses and button-down shirts.

Although his artworks are well known, they can be extremely difficult to obtain. So when they do sell, it’s no surprise that they sell for a hefty penny.

The oil-painted canvas depicted an autumnal scene with a pond in the forest, as well as his signature transcribed in red in the lower left corner

Ross painted “A Walk in the Woods” in just 30 minutes. He painted all his pieces in a short period of time

Actor Owen Wilson portrayed Bob Ross in the film Paint, available to watch on AMC+ or Prime Video

Owen Wilson channeled his inner Bob Ross in a comedy called Paint, which hit theaters back in April.

The film itself followed Carl Nargle, played by Wilson, who is “convinced he has it all: a signature perm, a custom van, and fans hanging on his every strand – until a younger, better artist steals everything (and everyone). “What Carl loves.” ‘ accordingly IMDb.

According to ArtNews.com, many of the pieces were donated to the Smithsonian Museum, various PBS member stations, or stored by Bob Ross, Inc.

At the time of his death, Ross was worth an estimated $10 million, and today, with inflation, he is reportedly worth $19.8 million Daily Express.

Hoffman said Ross’ popularity has skyrocketed in recent years and that a YouTube channel that features his shows has 5.63 million subscribers.