Charles Houska
People, Places, and Fishbowls

January 6 - February 11, 2023
Opening Reception January 6, 5-8 PM

Charles Houska is inspired by simple themes of daily life. This body of work, People, Places, and Fishbowls, represents characters from Charles’ imagination, things that bring him joy, and, of course, his iconic fishbowl. Using acrylic paint, wood, and canvas with layers of vibrant color and bold outlines, he communicates his passion for sharing a whimsical view of the world. There is deeper meaning only when viewers connect with their own personal stories. Charles makes happy art because he hopes to inspire positive feelings in others.

Bio

St. Louis artist and gallerist Charles Houska (pronounced House-ka) has been creating his signature Pop-inspired artworks for over 25 years. Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Houska earned a degree in art & visual communication from Illinois State University. After working as a graphic designer in Chicago for several years, he learned that his art connected with people and he set out to transition to a career as a full-time artist, ultimately landing in St. Louis and opening Houska Gallery, his studio/gallery in the Central West End.

In addition to his acrylic on canvas paintings, Houska produces murals and billboards, and his art has appeared in a variety of forms, from credit cards to city mass transit buses to even an Illinois license plate. Major corporations have commissioned Houska to create artwork for their specific needs including St. Louis Metro, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Herman Miller HQ, Absolut Vodka, and BoS Bank of Springfield.

Perhaps one of Houska’s favorite projects is his work with school-age children through a program he calls Houskaballoo, in which he collaborates with students on mural projects in their schools. Houska involves himself with charitable organizations, especially those dealing with animals such as PAWS, Stray Rescue of St. Louis, and The Humane Society.