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
Artist Profile
Li Ming: Red Panda
Li Ming has lived at the Houston Zoo since 2015. She creates her works of art by walking across the canvas. Thick fur covers red panda’s entire bodies, even the soles of their feet, which means you’ll see imprints of all that fur in Li Ming’s paw print masterpieces. Li Ming’s favorite activity, besides interacting with her Zoo Keepers, is sleeping. Red pandas can sleep 16-18 hours a day! They need to rest from being so cute.
Art by Li Ming
Artist Profile
Dash and Dinari: Cheetahs
It’s not unusual to see Dash & Dinari 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 Dash & Dinari 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 Dash and Dinari
Size: 11×14
$150
Size: 16×20
$200
Artist Profile
Denver: Blue and Gold Macaw
Denver has lived at the Houston Zoo since 2010 and during this time has developed his own artistic flare. Holding a paintbrush in his beak, he moves the brush in long, sweeping strokes to create his masterpieces.
Art by Denver the Macaw
Artist Profile
Mike: Gorilla
Born on December 24, 1991, Mike often prefers to paint with a modified paint brush that has an elongated handle. He will grasp the brush and quickly move it from side to side or up and down, he has even been known to twist his modified paintbrush and make circular wisps on the canvas.
Art by Mike the Gorilla
Size: 11×14
$150
Size: 8×10
$75
Artist Profile
Methai: Asian Elephant
Methai is the herd matriarch and assumes the role of “Auntie” for the youngest herd members. She enjoys the smell of peppermint and citrus. Using a modified paintbrush and her dexterous trunk, Methai fills the entire canvas with her quick, broad strokes.
Art by Methai the Elephant
Size: 16×20
$200
Size: 16×20
$200
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
Choose Your Artist
Lion
Lions have a unique style of painting and it’s not unusual for these masterpieces to have paw prints, tail swipes and the occasional lick mark from their tongue.
Orangutan
Pumpkin 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.
