Usagi Wasabi
Location: Fredericksburg, TX (formerly Houston, TX) Email: usagiwasabi@yahoo.com Phone: (713) 620-8230 Website: www.usagiwasabi.com
About the Artist
Usagi Wasabi is a self-taught illustrator and muralist originally from Houston, Texas, now based in Fredericksburg. Her artistic practice spans watercolor, acrylic, gouache, relief printmaking, digital illustration, and large-scale mural painting.
Her work is deeply inspired by animals and nature, blending the familiar beauty of the natural world with surreal, dreamlike elements to create environments that feel both fantastical and grounded. Through public art, she seeks to bring energy, color, and joy to the spaces her work inhabits, inspiring a sense of connection to the world around us.
Her most recent project, a 1,400+ sq. ft. mural installation for the Houston Zoo’s North Administration Building, spans six interior walls and was completed over the course of a month. Designed to inspire zoo staff and visiting collaborators, the mural now serves as a central meeting point for conservation partners around the world. The project received honorary recognition from CEO Lisa Peterson during the Zoo’s quarterly meeting for its contribution to workplace culture and environmental storytelling.
Usagi’s upcoming project, commissioned by the Houston Arts Alliance in partnership with Commissioner Briones of Precinct 4, will be a 200-foot community engagement mural surrounding a local clinic—aimed at uplifting and connecting the surrounding neighborhood. Installation is anticipated for late 2025 or early 2026.
Professional Experience
Freelance Artist / Owner Usagi Wasabi – Houston, TX & Fredericksburg, TX | 2011–Present
- Established and operate a successful independent art business offering original artwork, fine art prints, apparel, and commissioned murals.
- Partnered with the Houston Zoo on several large-scale mural projects celebrating wildlife, conservation, and community engagement.
- Continuously expand technical skills across traditional and digital media to evolve creative style and maintain relevance in a changing art landscape.
- Fourteen years of professional experience managing multi-phase art projects from concept to installation with a strong emphasis on communication, organization, and craftsmanship.
- Developed a dedicated client base and online following through consistent community engagement and authentic visual storytelling.
Selected Public Art Installations
2025 – Garden of Alebrijes Dreams 200’ x 6’ digital mural installation Houston Arts Alliance & Commissioner Briones, Precinct 4, Houston, TX
2025 – Houston Zoo Mural 60’ x 15’ painted mural (1,400+ sq. ft. across six walls) Houston Zoo, Houston, TX – North Administration Building Interior
2024 – Dragon Boat at Dawn 12’ x 10’ digital mural installation Weingarten Art Group, CityCentre5, Houston, TX
2023 – Seaside Poké 45’ x 7’ painted mural Seaside Poké, Houston, TX – EaDo District
2022 – Purple Wolf! 24’ x 7’ painted mural UP Art Studio, Houston, TX – Washington Ave. & Henderson St.
2022 – Pantanal Gates Mural 22’ x 9’ painted mural Houston Zoo, Houston, TX – Pantanal Exhibit
2022 – Tesouro Do Pantanal 60’ x 16’ painted mural Houston Zoo & GONZO247, Houston, TX – Dallas St. & St. Emmanuel St.
2022 – Bluejays Among Maples Utility box mural KAB Parks & Rec., Angleton, TX – Hwy 35 & Chenango St.
2021 – Butterflies & Magnolias Utility box mural KAB Parks & Rec., Angleton, TX – Warren St. & Loop 274
2021 – Spirit of the Big Thicket 10’ x 8’ painted mural Weingarten & Discovery Green, Houston, TX – Temporary Installation
2020 – Butterflies & Bluebonnets Utility box mural KAB Parks & Rec., Angleton, TX – Wilkins St. & Loop 274
2020 – All Is Right in the Jungle 15’ x 9’ digital mural UP Art Studio, Houston, TX – Dallas St. & Travis St.
2020 – Night Heron Utility box mural UP Art Studio, Houston, TX – 11th St. & Yale St.
Skills
Traditional Media: Watercolor, gouache, acrylic, aerosol, linocut printmaking, and large-scale mural painting
Digital Media: Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Filmora (video editing), and Pro Tools (music composition)
Design & Concept Development: Strong foundation in color theory, composition, and spatial design; ability to harmonize visual storytelling across scales—from intimate works to monumental public installations
Professional Strengths: Detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and highly collaborative. Experienced in managing public art logistics, engaging communities, and delivering impactful site-specific artwork.