Hi. I am Maura Houston. I am a freelance artist. I grew up in LA, but couldn’t wait to get out! I graduated from Cal State LA, and I’ve often said that the best thing I got out of the school is my husband, JJ. While in college I worked for Esportia Int. as a textile designer. I stayed there for 6 years while looking for a way out of LA. JJ grew up in northern California and always wanted to move back, even if that meant that he would be farther away from his beloved Dodgers, and into enemy territory, the Giants.... 

My freedom from LA came when I got a job in Concord CA. for JDFine and company, as a textile designer. I can make a repeat out of anything now! And I can do it blindfolded. 

Three years later, I took the plunge into freelance. Eek! talk about jumping in with both feet and not have a clue as to what I was doing! I work hard, I work efficient, and I work REALLY fast. But I never thought about the business side of it. I figured if I just worked hard, they would give me lots and lots of money and then everyone would be happy, right? Well, after a couple of years of that, and scraping by, now with two small kids, and the economy tanking, I admitted defeat (for now) and got a “real” job in San Francisco. Or, as everyone calls it up here “The City.”  

Started working at Slide Inc. on the Facebook game, Super Poke Pets, I was excited about the new job but a little depressed about my failed freelance attempt. But Slide turned about to be an incredible opportunity. The commute on Bart was horrible, and I was used to always being the baby at work, and all of the sudden I was the old fart with kids.... That was a bit of a culture shock... But the work was fun and my co-workers were awesome. Any hangups about suddenly being the oldest one in my department, were all in my head. But the commute on Bart still sucked, so after a whole 6 months, I found a job at Turpitude, and the commute was about 10 minutes!! Heaven! And I was the senior artist, I was working on “Wedding Street” for Facebook, and did I mention my commute was 10 minutes? But all good things must come to an end. The economy still sucked and after 7 months, I was laid off. 

But with social gaming, there are always more companies. So, back to The City to K Factor Media, and games such as My City Life, Farm Country, and Farm Defense. Another fantastic company....but the economy still sucks!!! Laid off again.... Ugg!!! And with my kids starting school, I wanted to stay closer to home. So, I am back at freelance!!! 

Freelance really is the best job ever. Still working and learning the business side, but where else can I work in my pajamas? Even at Esportia and JDFine, who produced pajamas, I couldn’t really get away with it.  And I have cute jammies, with owls and coffee! Oooh! I need some coffee!!