Hai-Ou Hou was born in Beijing where she received her B.F.A from Central Institute of Fine Art and Design.  She earned her M.F.A. from Towson State University.  She taught at the Hubei Fine Art Institute, China. 
 
Hai-Ou is a Signature Member of both the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters' Association and the American Impressionist Society. She is also a member of the Portrait Society of America and the Washington Society of Landscape Painters.  Her work is widely represented in commercial galleries and is included in many public and private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad.   She has received numerous awards and honors through participation in art events and exhibitions.