Colorful, bold and intense pop art that commands attention and triggers a smile.

Pop artist Charles Houska (pronounced House-ka) opened his own gallery/studio in 1998.

Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Houska earned a bachelor’s degree in art/visual communication from Illinois State University in 1987, and worked as a graphic designer in Chicago for a few years. He was pleasantly surprised to find, though, that his own art was enough to support him, so he moved back to Springfield to work as an artist full-time, gradually moving on to St. Louis, Missouri.

Besides his acrylic-on-canvas paintings, Houska paints murals and billboards, and his art has appeared in a variety of forms, from credit cards to shower curtains to an Illinois license plate. Major corporations, including Emerson Electric Co., St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Absolut Vodka, and Bergners Co., have commissioned Houska to create artwork for their specific needs. In addition, Houska markets a line of merchandise called Houskadoodles, which include T-shirts, greeting cards, magnets and more.

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 also involves himself with charitable organizations, especially those dealing with animals, such as PAWS, Stray Rescue and The Humane Society.

Aside from his creative ability, Houska also has a keen business sense, which has allowed him to build a solid reputation and an extensive client base. He strives to meet individual needs by providing personalized service and versatility. His “anything is possible” approach to art and business promises to meet the needs of anyone, from individuals to corporations to organizations.