Robert Norman Ross was an American painter and art instructor. He created and hosted The Joy of Painting, an instructional television program that aired from 1983 to 1994 on PBS in the United States and CBC in Canada.

Ross developed a signature wet-on-wet oil painting technique that allowed him to complete landscapes in a single session. His calm, encouraging demeanor and catchphrases like 'happy little trees' made him a beloved figure in popular culture.

In 2026, Bonhams announced a series of sales offering thirty original Bob Ross paintings in collaboration with American Public Television, with the first auction taking place in November 2026 in Los Angeles.