Bob Ross Mountain Waterfall, Signed Original Painting Contemporary Art

Artist: Bob Ross
Title: Mountain Waterfall
Medium: Original Oil on Canvas Painting
Size: 24"x 18"
Year: Circa 1980
Condition: Damage to right side, including missing paint
Documentation: Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from Bob Ross, Inc.

“Mountain Waterfall” is one of Bob Ross’ most iconic and recognizable images. Variations of the image were featured several times on “The Joy of Painting,” including in Season 2, Episode 12 (1983) and Season 5, Episode 1 (1985). This imagery in this painting more closely resembles the Season 2 version with the waterfall framed by trees in the foreground with a mountain background in the distance. Although this image was featured in an episode of “The Joy of Painting,” please note that this is not the actual painting featured on the episode. This particular rendition of “Mountain Waterfalls” contains several unique characteristics, including the pink hued sky and mountains, as well as the orientation (this painting is a vertical 24” x 18” as opposed to the horizontal 18” x 24” in the episode.) While we do not know the precise year this piece was painted, Bob Ross Inc. estimates it was created circa 1980.

Bob Ross’ “Mountain Waterfall” contains damage to the right side, including missing paint. The piece is signed by the artist and comes with a certificate of authenticity from Bob Ross, Inc. “Mountain Waterfall” is not currently framed, but can be framed by Modern Artifact for an additional cost (please contact us for framing options).

Having spent his entire artistic career in front of the TV camera shooting “The Joy of Painting”, Bob Ross was one of the greatest advocates for painting in the late 20th century. Known as a painter of uniquely soothing voice, who always painted “happy” images, he was watched by millions and eventually reached the status of a living icon.

He started his career in the US Air Force, where he spent 20 years, mostly in Alaska. In 1981, he abandoned the army to pursue painting. In the early years, he was struggling. This is when his signature perm was born, as a way of cutting haircut costs, a style he wore and hated throughout his life.

Ross remained dedicated to landscape throughout his entire body of work, which counts around 30.000 paintings. His works are populated with trees, clouds, lakes and streams, and only an occasional cabin. Known as a sincere environmentalist, he often painted various small animals, bringing them often to the studio. Interestingly, very few of his works ever depicted a human figure. The technique he used is called “wet on wet” or “Alla Prima”, dating back to the Renaissance. Still, it was difficult to define Bob Ross’ style in terms of contemporary art. It was closest to Pop Art, due to his celebrity status and the concept in which it was created. Except for the early gold pans, he distributed while stationed in Alaska, he never really sold his works.

Even today, more than twenty years after his death, he remains an Internet sensation. In 2015, over 400 episodes of his famous TV show “The Joy of Painting” were added to the official Bob Ross Youtube Channel. In 2016, his other painting television series “Beauty is Everywhere” began streaming on Netflix. Furthermore, numerous series have paid homage to Bob Ross in various ways, while Google keeps posting Google Doodle and birthday tributes to the painter every year.

A calm, happy person, Bob Ross kept a democratic, open attitude, claiming that anyone can paint regardless of talent, only if they are ready to practice enough. We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents,” he used to say. And the people loved him for it.

Born as Robert Norman Ross in Daytona Beach, Florida on October 29, 1942, the meticulous painter died of lymphoma on July 4, 1995, at the age of 52.