Bob Ross (1942-1995)
Alaska Landscape
12" x 24" oil on canvas
Signed lower right
Verso: Signed with Eielson Air Force Base barrack number.
$25,000-35,000
Provenance: Certificate of Authenticity from Annette Kowalski.

Bob Ross, the beloved artist and television host known for his calm demeanor and “happy little trees,” spent a transformative part of his life in Alaska while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Stationed at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks during the 1960s-1970s, Ross worked as a drill sergeant, a role that contrasted starkly with the gentle persona he later embodied. Alaska’s dramatic landscapes, with its majestic mountains, expansive forests, and auroras, profoundly influenced his artistic vision. In his downtime, Ross began experimenting with painting, using the Alaskan wilderness as inspiration for his early works. It was during his time in Alaska that Ross discovered the wet-on-wet painting technique, which became the hallmark of his style. He honed this method to create serene landscapes quickly and efficiently; a necessity given the constraints of his military schedule. After retiring from the Air Force, Ross fully embraced his passion for art and turned it into a career, eventually hosting the iconic PBS series The Joy of Painting. His Alaskan experiences left an indelible mark on his work, evident in the snow-covered peaks, icy rivers, and tranquil woodlands featured in many of his paintings. During his time at Eileson AFB, he created and gifted this painting to his good friend and fishing partner. It was later passed down in the family and has been authenticated by the Kowalski organization. Ross’s signature is on the reverse, as well as a barracks number at Eielson AFB, likely where Ross was living at the time he created the painting.

Black lights clean. Excellent condition.