Described by the Los Angeles Times as "arguably one of the most important artists of her generation," Annie Houte stands atop the art world at only the tender of 26 and yet, little is known about the secretive artist. Houte's reclusive nature has cemented her reputation as an enigmatic and mysterious figure, often drawing comparisons to the ever-elusive Banksy. After a negative 2013 New York Times article criticized Houte for her apparent lack of a coherent artistic style, Houte responded through her publicist with the words, "Boxing oneself in does not a great artist make." The refrain quickly took root and now serves as a calling card for an entire generation of emerging artists.

Houte's focus centers on the sensual nature of aesthetics, aiming to depict the complications of life through a combination of color, texture, and symbolism. Her works have been housed in many of the world's most prestigious museums, including the Walker Art Center, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Annie Houte lives and works in California, maintaining a studio in Nichols Canyon, Los Angeles, two blocks removed from the residence of David Hockney, whose atelier she once trained in as a young apprentice. With close ties to Hollywood, many of Houte's works have appeared on television and in cinema, including, most recently, the film Fifty Shades Darker (2017).

Houte has garnered widespread praise for her commitment to produce artwork solely for the furtherance of charitable purposes. In 2015, she successfully brought an injunction against Christie's and Sotheby's, barring the auction houses from dealing in her works except in instances where a non-profit charity shall benefit. As a result of the litigation, Houte's auction history remains sealed to the public.

Annie Houte received her M.F.A from Stanford University in 2012. Subsequent to that she attended the postgraduate program in painting at the California Institute of the Arts where she created the acclaimed piece Rapheal Reloaded, which remains on permanent display at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Recent exhibitions include Forever And A Day, Broad Contemporary Art Museum, Santa Monica, CA; Ars Longa, Richard Telles, Los Angeles, CA; From NoHo to SoHo, Greene Naftali Gallery, New York, NY; Łódź Biennal, Poland; Art Basel, Miami Beach, FL; Generation Y, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA; L'art Pour L'art, Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, Montreal, Canada; and Annie Houte: New Work, de Young, San Francisco, CA (solo). Houte is scheduled to speak at an upcoming TEDx symposium in what is anticipated to be a rare public appearance by the highly reclusive artist.