The Keepers at the Houston Zoo work to enrich the lives of the animals in their care every day by introducing fun, interesting and complex activities, such as painting, to the animals’ daily routine.
Animals enjoy painting using non-toxic paint on canvas and a little help from their keepers to create their very own masterpieces. From paw prints to broad brush strokes, each artists’ creation is one of a kind.
Included in Your Purchase
- Unmatted flat canvas
- A photo of the animal artist with a short biography
- Shipping & Handling *international freight may accrue extra postal fees
Artist Profile
Asian Elephants
Our Asian elephant herd loves to paint, and they each have their own unique style. Gently holding a paint brush with their trunks, they sweep paint across the canvas to create one of a kind works of art. Everyone gets in on the fun- even our patriarch Thailand. Painting is a great way that our animal care team creates meaningful relationships with each of our elephants and we love to see what creations they come up with.
Art by Elephants
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"Team Colors" by Baylor
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"Mossy Waterfall" by Duncan
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"Warmer Weather" by Methai
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"Firelight" by Shanti
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"Water Lily Pond" by Duncan
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"Summer Blooms" by Tess
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"Dip in the Pool" by Methai
Artist Profile
Cheetahs
It’s not unusual to see Dash & Dinari or Kito & Kiburi enjoying early morning walks with their animal care team before the Zoo opens to the public. One-on-one interactions like these walks, along with opportunities to create one of a kind art pieces, strengthens the relationship between our cheetahs and their Zoo keepers. Beginning with a blank canvas, the brothers walk through the non-toxic paint and create dynamic paintings with their large paws (and the occasional tail swipe).
Art by Cheetahs
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"Morning Dew" by Dash and Dinari
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"Watercolor Paws" by Dash and Dinari
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"Joyful Steps" by Dash and Dinari
Size: 16×20
$200
Purchase This Painting
Artist Profile
Shasta
Celebrate your University of Houston fan with a painting made my Shasta himself! Like his counterparts in the wild, Shasta loves to climb and can often be seen high up on the rocks basking in the sunshine. Shasta’s unique relationship and trust in his animal care team makes for dynamic paintings, full of movement, paw prints and swirls.
Art by Shasta
Artist Profile
George: Southern White Rhino
Meet George, our 9-year old white rhino. George lives with our other rhino Indy and can often be found lounging in the mud or cooling off in the shade. To create the unique prints, George gently presses his backside into our non-toxic paint and then onto the canvas. These paintings are the result of the strong bond that our keepers and rhinos share, and would make the perfect gift!
Art by George
Artist Profile
Goats
Everyone has a favorite a goat when visiting the Children’s Zoo, and now you can own an original masterpiece from these talented artists. Seamus is a wild child, always entering the scene with gusto. Simon is calm and stoic and can usually be found sitting on top of the climbing structures. Each piece is full of color and movement and is a unique representation of our goat artists.
Art by Goats
Artist Profile
Rainbo: Eclectus Parrot
Born here at the Houston Zoo in 1991, Rainbo is a wonderful ambassador to his species and is often seen during special events at the Zoo. He uses a paintbrush, held in his beak, and moves his head to create streaks of paint on the canvas. He is very deliberate about where he places the paint on the canvas and often leans away eyeing it critically before adding more paint to his masterpieces.
Art by Rainbo
Artist Profile
Meerkats
The meerkat mob will always make you smile as you watch these small creatures standing on their hind legs, absorbing the warmth of the sun on their bellies, furiously digging for food, or comically wrestling with each other. Meerkats paint after their keepers spread pools of paint and the blank canvas on their bedroom floors. You can see evidence of their tiny paws on every piece they create.
Art by Meerkats
Artist Profile
Hannah: Binturong
Born in Texas, Hannah grew up at the Houston Zoo and frequently participates in special events and keeper talks at the zoo where guests can see up close how wonderful she is. She has grown used to the attention she inevitably attracts but spends most days resting peacefully in her shady yard at the Natural Encounters exhibit and spending time with her amazing animal care team. Hannah has been known to dabble in the visual arts and her unique foot prints are seen in each piece she creates.
Art by Hannah
Purchase a Custom Painting
Choose your favorite artist and have a custom painting made just for you based on your color choices. Each painting is unique and each artist has his or her very different techniques. Paintings will be shipped within six weeks after you order.
$250 per painting
16 x 20 flat canvas
*Note: Custom Pieces are not currently available for purchase. Please check back again soon for updates
Choose Your Artist
Tiger
While walking across a canvas, evidence of Berani’s large, powerful paws are found in every piece he creates. The artwork is a true testament to Berani’s strong relationship with his animal care team.
Orangutan
Kelly and the rest of our orangutan family enjoy painting and each work of art represents the temperament of the artists. Whether using gentle brush strokes, bold finger marks or occasionally various mixed mediums – their artwork is guaranteed to be one of a kind.
Elephant
Using their dexterous trunks and an elephant sized artist’s palette, our elephant herd creates paintings that are true works of art.
