Tex Neila

I’ve always been an artist—long before I had the tools, the space, or even the support. My journey is one of survival, transformation, and a relentless pursuit of connection through creativity. Life hasn’t been easy. From navigating the foster system to enduring the isolating realities of military service, I’ve known what it means to feel discarded, like something left behind.

But that’s where my story begins—not in the polished and pristine but in the raw and overlooked. Art has always been my lifeline, my voice when words failed me. I started with watercolors, drawn to their fluid, unpredictable nature. They became my first love, allowing me to create portraits and landscapes that reflected the emotions I carried inside.

Over time, my work evolved, shaped by the environments I lived in. I began to see beauty in the discarded—cardboard, cans, scrap metal, and other forgotten objects. These materials spoke to me, their imperfections mirroring my own. I started transforming trash into art, weaving stories of resilience and hope into every piece. What others saw as broken, I saw as potential.

Through my art, I found a way to connect with people, to build a community that values authenticity over perfection. Whether I’m painting a soulful portrait, crafting an immersive installation, or turning found objects into affordable works of art, my mission is the same: to show that beauty exists in the raw, the real, and the resilient.

Today, as Hobo Smutt, I create art that challenges, inspires, and invites others to see the world differently. My journey is far from over, but every piece I create is a reminder that even in the darkest corners, there’s light to be found.