Animal Art
The keepers at the Houston Zoo work to enrich the lives of the animals in their care every day. They add interesting and complex activities to the animals’ daily routine. Enrichment activities are fun for both animals and keepers.
We have found that many of our animals enjoy painting as an enrichment activity. They are given canvases and non-toxic paints to use as they create their masterpieces. With a little help from their keepers and sometimes a paintbrush, they create beautiful works of art!
Each painting is unique, and each artist has different techniques. Proceeds from the sale of animal artwork benefit conservation, additional enrichment items for the animals, and the Houston Zoo.
Our Artists
Birds
Rainbo, an Eclectus parrot, and Larry, an African grey parrot, hold a paintbrush in their beak to create their masterpieces.
Cougar
You’ve never seen a painter with this type of enthusiasm…Rocky puts all his energy into his creations as he uses his paws, nose, and even sometimes gets his whole body into the piece by rolling on it!
Raccoons
Stella and Adrian’s painting style is quick and determined with an occasional jolt of energy. They hold the paintbrush with both front paws and finish their paintings with their special signature – a paw print.
Siamangs
These small apes prefer a more hands-on approach to painting. Paint brushes just get in the way of the creative process; they use their fingers and hands when swishing and swirling the paint around on the canvas. They also tend to take periodic breaks to test the paint for taste and texture; it must be the right mixture for these perfectionists.
Elephants
Methai shows her enthusiasm for painting by holding her ears forward and she squeezes her eyes almost shut in concentration and Shanti is serious about her artwork and typically dips her brush in the sand for a mixed media effect before beginning to paint on a canvas. She prefers to hold her brush by curling her trunk around it rather than grasping it with the “finger” at the tip of her trunk like the other elephants.
White Faced Saki monkey
Sakis use their hands to break open nutshells and extract the contents inside. So learning to hold a brush was quite easy for Harry who has proven to be a talented artist. He can complete a masterpiece in minutes with his unique “thrust and glide” motions .
Price
Each 16” x 20” painting: $250.00
Place an Order
Due to extraordinary demand, some orders may take up to six weeks. These orders will be filled on a first come, first served basis. If orders cannot be filled immediately, a card with the artist’s name will be sent.
Please give the following information (all fields are required)
and someone will get in touch with you regarding your order.
Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
Painting Description(s) including artist and quantity:
(i.e. one raccoon painting, two cougar paintings, etc.)
All artwork is sold unframed and must be picked up in person at the Houston Zoo. You will be notified when your artwork is ready to be picked up. Please call 713.533.6713 with any questions.
Interested in watching the animal paint,?
