Russell Houston is an artist of uncommon talent and versatility. He feels that he didn't choose art, art choose him. From an early age he developed a love for art and for the West. He has combined those to loves to produce a wide range of art with focus ranging from beauty to humor. Houston strives to create paintings suffused with light and color.

Russell Houston was born in California, and he and his family moved to Arizona when he was a young boy. After graduating from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, Russ worked as an award-winning illustrator. After a year or so he decided to pursue fine art full-time. Since then he has produced many award-winning paintings in shows including The George Phippen and the Peppertree Ranch art shows.

In 1993 he saw a turn-of-the century photo of two cowboys golfing on a desert course, which inspired him to paint "Hazard On The 4th Hole". The popularity of the painting led him to create a series of cowboy golfing paintings. These paintings have been featured in "People Magazine", "Sports Illustrated", "The Los Angeles Times" and a cover on "The Western Horseman". So far he has published thirteen different cowboy golf prints.

Russell is devoting more time to his first love, traditional western art. His paintings of the West, its people and animals strike a cord with anyone who has affection for the great outdoors. He and his family live in the White Mountains of Arizona, which provide a rich source of material to paint.

Written and submitted January 2005 by Sue Willoughby, Fine-Art Appraiser and former Museum Director from Prescott, Arizona.

Information courtesy of David Wilkinson, Legacy Gallery:

Russ' desire to paint comes in large measure from his love of the West, its people and the variety of experiences they find themselves in.

Born the son of Marine Corp parents Russ spent time drawing the military activities around him. His imagination for stories grew even greater with his family's move to Arizona



The cast of characters and color of the desert provided Russ with endless possibilities for paintings and drawings. His capacity to illustrate increased when at 17, he became the youngest staff artist at A & M Associates, the ad agency for U-Haul International.



His advances in art continued back in California at Art Center College of Design. Upon graduation with a B.F.A. in Illustration, Russ returned to Arizona. Working on the family ranch in Arizona, he also worked on illustration accounts during the day and pursued western art at night. A short time later he made the transition to painting westerns full-time.



Russ' versatility led him to create and publish a series of paintings on cowboy golf. The popularity of the work has garnered international attention and has been published in numerous national magazines and newspapers. Russ currently resides with his family in the White Mountains of Arizona.