08/19/2026
Of all the artists in the late 20th century, few have resounded with people like Bob Ross. His approach to art, calm demeanor and philosophy that anyone could learn to paint instilled confidence in artists and non-artists alike.
Today, his legacy continues through Bob Ross Inc. Created in 1981 and formerly incorporated in 1985, the company is based out of northern Virginia and distributes across the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Europe.
Bob Ross Inc. mainly focuses on Ross’ painting method and provides the necessary tools for painters. A large portion of its offerings include materials that Ross used in his TV show including uniquely designed and formulated oil paints and basecoats, paint brushes, knives, palette and canvases, brush cleaning accessories and how-to books. It has also expanded into clothing, books and games in recent years, reaching the gift, collectibles and novelty markets.
Altogether, Bob Ross has nearly 200 SKUs in its catalog. Most of the products are geared for older teens and adults. “But we’ve been aware, and certainly Bob had always known, that children love television’s favorite painter,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross. “It’s one of the areas in which we hope to expand further, starting with our Bob Ross for Kids paint set and the new paint party box too.”
Kowalski shared what Bob Ross means to her and how the company is continuing his legacy for the upcoming generations.
How has Bob Ross inspired you, personally?
Bob has inspired me to choose decency over chaos when responding to situations outside your control, that you won’t lose anything by doing so. He has shown me that hard work enhances everything in your life. Bob Ross was extremely dedicated to his métier, proud to be on public television and honored to be such an important part of people’s lives.
How do you balance innovation with keeping true to Bob Ross’s legacy?
This is a really good question, one we face every day with everything we do. We never want to go too far away from the core of Bob Ross — his personality, his painting, his way of thinking and doing. We make sure that if we decide to do something that breaks new ground — like our new Bob Ross video games for example — it is still accomplished with Bob’s tender nature in mind. I spent a lot of time talking with Bob, listening to what he hoped would endure past his own life, and I’m proud to say that we’ve been hitting the mark.
How do you ensure quality in the manufacturing process? Where do you source your materials from?
We test every batch of paint before it’s tubed and marketed. Same with basecoats. It’s important because Bob’s technique is not like any other oil painting method, so if his paint isn’t right, people can’t do what he does on television and they get frustrated. Our paint is made in New York, and the manufacturer is as obsessed with having the right paint as we are.
Bob’s brushes and knives are hand-made in Germany and Italy by long-standing companies that follow his specifications precisely. The craftsmanship makes a big difference because bristles, handles, blade, everything is uniquely designed by Bob Ross to make his technique work.
What is your most popular product, and what do you contribute to its success?
Our most popular product is the Bob Ross Master Paint Set; it’s got almost everything you need to start painting like Bob Ross. As you know, Bob Ross’ specialty is teaching people who have never painted before, they pick up a brush for the first time, so this kit accommodates a first-timer who has no art supplies but wants to try it. What’s particularly good about starting with Bob is his technique yields little to no failure — the technique is designed to produce instant success which motivates the painter to keep going, and often try other new things too like watercolors, acrylics and traditional oil painting.
What new products are you most excited about? How often do you release new products?
We don’t release new products very often because we don’t want to stray too far from the core of Bob Ross — it’s difficult to promote products that Bob himself does not use on his television show. But we are finding that there is some leeway here when it comes to kids’ products — again, as long as it is in line with the gentle spirit of Bob Ross. So, we’re particularly excited to continue developing creative tools for children.
Why do you believe your products belong in specialty toy stores?
Bob Ross has become such a strong figure in children’s lives recently that any products that are themed around his persona will be a nice addition in specialty toy stores. Bob Ross is not only a fun character but an educational one as well. He teaches children to be creative and to build confidence in their own lives.
What trade shows do you exhibit at?
We exhibit at Creativation by Namta, New York’s Toy Fair, ComicCon San Diego, TwitchCon (San Diego and Berlin) and American Public Television’s Fall Marketplace.
How do you help retailers sell/market your products? What resources do you offer?
We’ve trained hundreds of Certified Ross Instructors around the country (and the world!) so they can conduct Bob Ross style painting classes in retail stores. There’s no better way to stimulate interest in a product line than by having a local, hands-on session with a qualified teacher.
Additionally, we list all of the retailer sources for the Bob Ross products on our website’s store locator. The store locator is advertised on our 24/7 Bob Ross Channel several times a day on Pluto, Tubi, FuboTV, Roku, Samsung and many other streaming platforms. By keeping Bob Ross on about 94 percent of all public television stations in the country, uninterrupted since 1983, we’re able to remind customers about our brand continually like no other art product in the world.
What does it mean to you to carry on Bob Ross’s legacy?
It means everything to me. Knowing and working with (and for) Bob Ross since 1988, it’s become evident with each passing year that most perfectly tailored opportunities happen as a result of a natural, growing-into process. I was able to learn and understand every aspect of Bob Ross’ vision, both his business sense and his general philosophy through quiet, steady paces. The fact that the entire world still knows and loves Bob Ross is such an incredible thing to be a part of.
What’s next on the horizon for Bob Ross?
Our next big project is a Bob Ross animated children’s show for television.
