Hi, I’m Greg Houston, a Baltimore-born illustrator and author. Since beginning my career as a professional illustrator in 1988, I’ve worked with major publications and publishers, from the Los Angeles Times and Marvel Comics to Johns Hopkins University Magazine and The American Prospect. I’ve built a diverse practice that spans editorial illustration, book and graphic novel work, and teaching, always focused on clear communication through imagery. I’ve written and illustrated graphic novels Vatican Hustle (NBM Publishing, 2009) and Elephant Man (NBM Publishing, 2010) and authored Illustration That Works (The Monacelli Press, 2015) and Understanding Caricature (The Monacelli Press, 2021). I teach at the Maryland Institute College of Art, co-founded the Baltimore Academy of Illustration, and stay active in continuing education through Osher programs and community workshops.

Greg Houston

PRO

Hi, I’m Greg Houston, a Baltimore-born illustrator and author. Since beginning my career as a professional illustrator in 1988, I’ve worked with major publications and publishers, from the Los Angeles Times and Marvel Comics to Johns Hopkins University Magazine and The American Prospect. I’ve built a diverse practice that spans editorial illustration, book and graphic novel work, and teaching, always focused on clear communication through imagery. I’ve written and illustrated graphic novels Vatican Hustle (NBM Publishing, 2009) and Elephant Man (NBM Publishing, 2010) and authored Illustration That Works (The Monacelli Press, 2015) and Understanding Caricature (The Monacelli Press, 2021). I teach at the Maryland Institute College of Art, co-founded the Baltimore Academy of Illustration, and stay active in continuing education through Osher programs and community workshops.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Greg Houston, a Baltimore-born illustrator and author. Since beginning my career as a professional illustrator in 1988, I’ve worked with major publications and publishers, from the Los Angeles Times and Marvel Comics to Johns Hopkins University Magazine and The American Prospect. I’ve built a diverse practice that spans editorial illustration, book and graphic novel work, and teaching, always focused on clear communication through imagery.

I’ve written and illustrated graphic novels Vatican Hustle (NBM Publishing, 2009) and Elephant Man (NBM Publishing, 2010) and authored Illustration That Works (The Monacelli Press, 2015) and Understanding Caricature (The Monacelli Press, 2021). I teach at the Maryland Institute College of Art, co-founded the Baltimore Academy of Illustration, and stay active in continuing education through Osher programs and community workshops.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Professional Illustrator at Self-employed / Freelance
January 1, 1988 - October 31, 2025
Professional illustrator since 1988 with a broad client list across newspapers, magazines, publishing, and organizations; author of graphic novels and books.
Professor at Maryland Institute College of Art
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015
Taught in the Illustration Undergraduate Department; co-created the Illustration Workshop and Illustration Core curricula for the MICA Pre-College Program; taught Pre-College Workshop and Core classes (2006–2015).
Co-founder / Instructor at The Baltimore Academy of Illustration
January 1, 2015 - October 31, 2025
Co-founded the school; taught Fundamental Illustration, Continuing Illustration, Illustration: After Dark, Understanding Caricature, Sequential Illustration, INK, KA-POW!: The Art of the Fight Sequence, Creating Characters; developed adjunct classes and all marketing.
Lecturer at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Towson University
January 1, 2023 - October 31, 2025
Taught a lecture class on the history of illustration (2023).
Lecturer at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Johns Hopkins University
January 1, 2023 - October 31, 2025
Taught a lecture class on the history of illustration (2023).
Course Developer / Instructor at Craftsy
January 1, 2014 - October 31, 2025
Developed and taught an online class—Painting the Imagined Landscape—in 2014.
Teacher at Howard Community College
January 1, 1997 - October 31, 2025
Taught cartooning classes for children in 1997.
Professional Illustrator at Self-employed / Greg Houston Illustration
January 1, 1988 - Present
Professional illustrator since 1988 with a broad client base including major newspapers, magazines, and publishers; published graphic novels Vatican Hustle (2009) and Elephant Man (2010).
Professor at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2015
Taught in the Illustration Undergraduate Department; co-created the Illustration Workshop and Illustration Core curricula for the MICA Pre-College Program; taught the MICA Pre-College Illustration Workshop and Core classes. Also contributed to the Continuing Studies program.
Instructor at Towson University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
January 1, 2023 - Present
Taught a lecture class on the history of illustration in 2023.
Instructor at Johns Hopkins University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
January 1, 2023 - Present
Taught a lecture class on the history of illustration in 2023.
Instructor at Craftsy
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Developed and taught an online class—Painting the Imagined Landscape—in 2014.
Cartoonist / Instructor at Howard Community College
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 1997
Taught cartooning for children in 1997.

Education

BFA Illustration at Pratt Institiute
September 2, 1984 - June 1, 1988
Bachelor of Fine Arts at Pratt Institute
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1988
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors at Pratt Institute
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1988
High School Diploma at Friends School
January 1, 1980 - January 1, 1984

Qualifications

ADDY First Place Illustration Division
January 1, 1998 - January 14, 2026
ADDY First Place Illustration Local
January 1, 1998 - January 14, 2026
AAN 2nd Place Illustration
January 1, 1998 - January 14, 2026
MDDC 2nd Place Illustration Editorial
January 1, 1999 - January 14, 2026

Industry Experience

Other, Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization
    uniE621 Greg Houston/ Animated Character Designs
    Character Designs for various animated project pitches
    uniE621 Bumble Bee
    Bumble Bee (new. Unpublished). https://www.twine.net/signin Instagram-- @ghoustonillustration Editorial, book illustration, narrative, conceptual, caricature, portrait, cartoons, images for licensing, originals for sale. 36 years experience. No deadlines missed. illustrator
    uniE621 Murder Me, Deadly!
    An illustration satirizing film noir. illustrator
    uniE621 Peeping Tom
    Illustration for the 1959 film, Peeping Tom illustrator
    uniE621 Mystic!
    Illustration about the popularity of seances in the 920s. illustrator
    uniE621 Baltimore Spring
    An illustration representing spring in Baltimore as an anthropomorphic character. illustrator