“It is passion that drives me. I have had the desire to shape and expand myself and the world around me since I was a child; always searching; continuously creating. My path has always included the pursuit of passion, building community and experiential growth.” Taft McWhorter

The Artist

Taft McWhorter, one of the most widely collected artists in Houston, Texas, has been exhibiting his contemporary art for 20 years, amassing a dedicated group of over 900 local and international collectors. Taft was named one of the Top 10 Artists in Houston in 2014 by the Houston Press. Taft also made the list of Houston’s 40 Most Fascinating People by the Houston Chronicle in 2015 for his philanthropic efforts.

Taft and his wife, Dana, have raised over one million dollars over the last decade by donating artwork. The dynamic duo have been married for 36 years and run their art business together. They have worked with prestigious companies such as BMW, Porsche, The Houston Astros, The Houston Texans, Partners in Building and Luby’s. Taft’s large scale work has been placed in major hotels and restaurants in across the US, including Westin and JW Marriott properties.

With over 100 exhibits under his belt, Taft and Dana have turned their focus to local philanthropy and empowering emerging artists. They have published three art books, including one about Taft’s artwork and two titled “50 Artists, Houston” and “50 Artists, Houston, Volume 2”. The 50 Artists titles are a timestamp of the Houston art scene and a platform for credibility and exposure for thriving H-Town artists.

Dana and Taft have a large, private art studio in Winter Street Studios, located within the Sawyer Yards Artist Complex just west of downtown Houston, TX.

The Artwork

The eclectic variety in Taft’s numerous styles is the product of allowing mistakes to be a part of the art making process. 

Taft embraces the dichotomy of vision versus freedom; control versus chaos.  In the spirit of freedom and chaos, he employs a plethora of textures, colors and mediums while trying not to limit himself to any single style or form.  

Franz Kline, Gerhard Richter, Jackson Pollock and David Adickes have been Taft’s main artistic influences.  His various styles encompass abstract, folk and impressionism. 

Taft’s mediums include acrylics, epoxy resin, oil, latex and watercolor. His artwork is simply an extension of his life and personality. 

Taft states, “My paintings represent whatever it is I am feeling at the time.  One layer at a time, I allow each painting to simply become”. 

Through a combination of variety, depth and the pursuit of experiential growth, each piece of art becomes unique in technique, style and emotion.

Arriving in the art business in 2006, I have pursued being a professional artist with abandon, studying with fellow artists and constantly exhibiting my work. With over 200 solo, joint and group exhibits under my belt and over 800 local and national collectors, my sights are set on evolving my career on a national basis and providing other artists with platforms for thriving in the ever changing art business.  

I completed my first TedX Talk in 2025. I spoke on the current art world, what it means to be a professional artist and the importance of art studios like Sawyer Yards. I intend on doing more speaking engagements and ideally more TedX talks.

Dana and I have published three art books. “Double Entendre”, published in 2014, covered the span of my first 8 years in the art business with a focus on my Double Entendre series.

“50 Artists, Houston, Volume 1”, published in 2022, featured 50 very diverse Houston artists at various levels in their careers. “50 Artist, Houston, Volume 2” published in2025, featured a whole new set of talented Houston artists.

We are currently working on our 4th publication, ideally hitting bookshelves in 2027.

In 2017, I collaborated with Houston legend and artist David Adickes on a 20 foot tall sculpture titled “Pursue Your Passion”. Thanks to collectors and friends Reggie and Tom Nichols, this massive art piece resides at Armstrong Elementary in Missouri City.

In 2025, I created the “H-Town”sculpture. The photos below show the prototype for a 20-30 foot tall sculpture. This new art piece utilizes all of the Houston sports team’s colors with a lively splash of art. It is also a nod to the late, great David Adickes, with the intention of carrying on his love for large sculptures. The goal is to create and install this epic sculpture in a prominent location in Houston, Texas in 2026. In the meantime, you can acquire one of these metal sculptures in 3 available sizes - 5”, 8” and 12”.

We hope you will join us in our #artlife journey.

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PURSUE YOUR PASSION