Jimmy Houston
I’m a retro-animation fine artist based in Houston, known for painting smoking monkeys, tin men, and vintage-cartoon tough girls. For over a decade now, I’ve been blessed to pour myself into this work. It’s more than just what I do—it’s a calling I feel grateful to follow.
Inspired by classic cartoons, comics, and vintage ads, I create a quirky cast of characters—like the twin apes Rig and Rex, the tough-as-nails East, and the soulful tin man Apollos. They bring humor and heart to each piece, exploring universal questions about connection, purpose, and the human experience. My work blends nostalgia with deeper emotional and spiritual themes.
Through layered textures, hand-drawn symbols, and bold color, I aim to spark curiosity and conversation. My paintings often ask more than they answer—inviting viewers to laugh, reflect, and maybe see the world a little differently.
Exhibitions
Achievements
Curriculum Vitae
HOUSTON PETSET
Fierce & Fabulous Soirée Auction September 2024
PARABLE PROJECT EXHIBITION January 2023
CANVAS REBEL April 2022
SHOUTOUT HTX September 2020
HCHS ART DEDICATION October 19, 2018
ONE MAN POP UP SHOW May 2018
VOYAGE HOUSTON February 2018 "MEET JIMMY HOUSTON IN NORTHWEST CITY CENTRE"
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER HOUSTON: Houston Texans Teen Club Mural, Novemeber 2016
ART CENTER CORPUS CHRISTI 2016: Guest Speaker, September 2016
AUSTIN ART FESTIVAL 2016: SOLO Exhibitor, April 2016
HUNTING ART PRIZE 2016 FINALIST: January 2016
"Fly Away Home" Submission
HOUSTON FINE ART FAIR 2015: September 2015
"Pieces of Texas Sculpture" - Lead Artist
ARTEXPO NEW YORK 2015: April 2015 Rig & Rex **US NY TOUR**
KHOU GREAT DAY HOUSTON": February 2015 Artist Spotlight
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION: February 2015
2015 Heart Ball - Silent Auction Donor "Have a Heart"
MUIR FINE ART GALLERY: January 2015
Jimmy Houston & Simon Bull Exhibitors
HUNTING ART PRIZE 2015 FINALIST: January 2015
"Trailblazer" Submission
MUIR FINE ART GALLERY - A Small World Event
HUNTING ART PRIZE 2014
"Tellin' Tales" Submission
002 HOUSTON MAGAZINE: January 2014
New Editions Cover Winner - "Chirp" submission
HUNTING ART PRIZE 2013 FINALIST: May 2013
"Ramshackle" Submission
MUIR FINE ART GALLERY
Solo show “Rig, Rex and Friends” : Feb. 15th 2013
AIMelenoma BENEFIT AUCTION at White Salon: Aug. 15 2012
ARCHWAY GALLERY 4th Annual Juried Exhibition: July 7 – Aug. 1 2012
Honorable Mention
EAST END GALLERY Summer Select Show: June 15 – June 29th 2012
HUNTING ART PRIZE 2012 Finalist: April 2012
"Big Tex" Submission
JOMAR VISIONS at Hardy and Nance Studios: Apr. 21, 2012
Spring Show
HOUSTON ART AND CULTURE SCHOLARSHIP
Betz Gallery Juried competition 3rd place: Feb. 2012
ART INSTITUTE OF HOUSTON NORTH
“Shenanigans!” solo show: Feb. 1 – Mar. 3, 2012
HOUSTON ART CRAWL 2011 show: Nov. 19, 2011
LAWNDALE ART CENTER Dia de los Muertos: Oct. 21, 2011
Silent Auction
ONE MAN SHOW ZEN art space: Oct. 1, 2011
“Monkey Men in Tin Town”
ELDER ST. GALLERY “The ONE Show”: July 9, 2011
LAWNDALE ART CENTER “The Big Show”: July 1-30, 2011
juried exhibition
Three shows at HEIGHTS ART STUDIOS & GALLERY: Apr. 2011 - Dec. 2011
Eight shows at ZEN art space: Dec. 2010 – Dec. 2011
HOUSTON ART CRAWL: Nov. 2010
HUNTING ART PRIZE 2011 Finalist: May 2011
"Goodbye Adios Bon Voyage" Submission