Welcome to my studio

Portlander - Painter - Mama

Born and raised in Portland, OR, Abby Houston(she/her) lives, teaches, creates, and raises her three art-making daughters. Abby’s earliest memory of creative practice began as a child when her mother would take her to the Oregon Coast to sit and paint the ocean.  Abby began her professional art journey as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist. Abby spent 17 years working in alternative school settings teaching art and facilitating a Studio based art curriculum.

Abby creates a sense of grounding for herself and others through her work and seeks a daily balance for the thriving development of her creative teaching and making practice.

Abby’s colorful abstract musings come to life in her acrylic and mixed media pieces. She often paints late at night when the rest of the household is asleep.

When Abby isn’t making art, she is scavenging for supplies, going on walks to pick up leaves, and hiking with her daughters to take photographs. Abby is examining her own white privilege, biases and educating herself and her children about systemic racism through listening to voices from the global majority, reflecting, and engaging in various forms of ARTivism. Abby is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and believes in inclusivity & kindness.

Contact: abby@abbypainter.com

 

Abby Houston, MA, LPC, ATR

Licensed Professional Counselor, State of Oregon
Registered Art Therapist
Art Teacher

Resume

MA in Art Therapy Counseling, 2005 Marylhurst University, Portland, OR

Bachelor of Fine Art, 2003 Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA

Curriculum Vitae

  • Jan-March 2025 Solo Show, Albina Press, Portland, OR

  • May 2024, Solo Collection, Variable Creatives, Portland, OR

  • March 2024, Las Lagunas Art Gallery, Virtual Art Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA

  • March 2024, Club V, All Women Group Exhibition, The Ford Gallery, Portland, OR

  • Jan/Feb 2024, Go Big or Go Home Group Exhibition, The Ford Gallery, Portland, OR

  • Oct/Nov 2023, Abstract Only Group Exhibition, The Ford Gallery, Portland, OR

  • Sept 2023, Anniversary Show, No Name Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

  • May 2023, Flower Power Group Art Show, The Ford Gallery, Portland, OR

  • May 2023, Artist Residency, The Verdancy Project, Troutdale, OR

  • March 2023, Earth & Tones Mini Art Show, Gallery Go Go, Portland, OR

  • February 2023, Home Away From Home Gallery, Group Show, Chicago, IL

  • November 2022, No Name Gallery Group Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA

  • August 2022, Brushed Group Show, The Compound Gallery, Emeryville, CA

  • July 2022, Artist in Residence, Paper Epiphanies, Portland, OR

  • April 2022, Artist Residency, The Verdancy Project, Troutdale, OR

  • January 2022, 4x4 Mini Art Group Show, Art Larger than Me Gallery, Portland, OR

  • June 2021, Artist Residency, Stay Home Gallery,  Paris, Tennessee

  • April 2021, Artists for the USPS, Group Show, Greenly Art Space, Signal Hill, CA

  • February 2021, Illustrator, Flagrant Magazine, Issue 02

  • September 2020, Artists for the USPS, Group Show, The Art Gym, Denver, CO

  • August 2020 Pelham Art Center USPS Group Art Show, Pelham New York,

  • July 2020, PianoPushPlay artist

  • Nov 2019 Ink & Drink, makers creating work to benefit Rosehaven Women’s Shelter (one night only)

  • July 2019 MARTK’D Sneaker Design Event in collaboration with Sneaker Week Portland, Finalist 

  • May 2019 Featured Artist, Game Day Poster Series, Portland Trail Blazers Playoff Edition

  • January 2011, April 2013 & March 2017, created and birthed my children.

  • 2005 - Current, Facilitating, Teaching, Curating creative development in the communities around me at home and while teaching

  • Sept 2011 Evolve Gallery at 100th Monkey Studio, Portland, 5th Anniversary group show

  • April 2005 MA in Art Therapy Counseling Collaborative Show, Marylhurst University

  • May 2003 BFA Juried Show,  Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA

Abby’s Artist Trading Card Swap

FAQ’s

How many artists participate in your Semi-Annual Swap?
It varies, but I usually have anywhere from 300-500 artists from all over the world. Every swap is a little different, and that’s part of the magic. I host one in August and another in February of each year. Subscribers to my newsletter hear first about specifics for each swap. If you miss out on a swap check back often for updates about the next chance to participate.

Is the number of participants growing?
Yes! Each round I welcome returning artists and new faces joining in. Anyone can participate! Word spreads through friends, art groups, and social media, and the community keeps expanding in such a joyful way.

Why do you ask for $5 if we’re already sending a self-adressed envelope?
The $5 fee helps with PO Box fees, additional return postage and envelopes, and paid promotion (ads) boosting the swap on social media. I currently operate the ATC at a loss because I believe it is a great way to build community and inspire other artists to create and share their creations.

When do you start mailing back the ATCs?
Once all the cards have arrived (usually a week after the deadline), I begin sorting and mailing them back within about 1–2 weeks. I collect the cards each day from my local PO Box address.

Is it okay to send 2 different sets of cards in separate envelopes in order to receive 2 sets back?
Yes! As long as each set follows the swap guidelines and includes its own return postage and fee, you can absolutely participate more than once in the same swap.

How much is (international) postage? How will I know how much to post?
Postage varies by region, country and weight. The best way to know is to take your envelope to your local post office and ask for the current rate for sending and receiving. Many artists include extra stamps or a few dollars to cover the cost. I often ask international participants to get in touch with me via DM so we can make sure that I know your art is on the way to process it accordingly.

What happens if my artwork is lost or doesn’t arrive? Mail mix-ups happen from time to time, but don’t worry, you won’t be left out. If your cards get lost on the way to me, just send me a DM or email, and I’ll make sure you still receive a set of cards from the swap. I want every artist to feel included, even if the postal system has other plans. Please make sure to be patient with me during this whole process.

Why is the submission size 2.5” x 3.5”?
 That’s the standard size for Artist Trading Cards worldwide, just like a playing card. The uniform size makes swapping easy and ensures they fit perfectly in trading sleeves or storage albums.

What is the origin of Artist Trading Card Swaps?
 The ATC movement began in the 1990s in Switzerland as a way for artists to share original, small-scale works with each other, always traded, never sold. Since then, swaps have popped up all over the world, in person and online.

How did you start hosting Artist Trading Card Swaps? I first joined an ATC swap in 2004 while I was in Graduate School studying Art Therapy & Counseling. I was instantly hooked—the size made it approachable, and the exchange felt like a small but powerful act of connection. Over the years, I began hosting swaps with peer artists, school classrooms, small groups and eventually online. What started as a fun, small-circle exchange has grown into a twice-a-year tradition with hundreds of artists from around the world taking part.

What have you learned from integrating art and therapy? Great question! This project really reminds me that small creative acts, like making an ATC, can be deeply grounding, connect us to one another, and give us a sense of accomplishment. It’s not just about the finished piece, but how the process supports our emotional wellbeing and connectivity.