RAY ELLIS

Ray Ellis is widely recognized for the originality of his paintings.  His work has been sought by many museums and private collectors in the United States and abroad.  Born in Philadelphia, he attended the famed Philadelphia Museum School of Art.  His first one-man show was held in 1947 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

After serving for four years in the US Coast Guard during WWII, he founded his own advertising agency in New Jersey and New York, but continued to paint in his spare time.  During this period he was elected to the American Watercolor Society, and his works were widely exhibited and received numerous honors.

In 1969, Ellis was able to devote all his time to painting.  In 1974 he moved south to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and then to Savannah, Georgia.  Only recently has he resettled in the north where he maintains a home and studio on Martha's Vineyard.

In the early 80's, Ray Ellis and Walter Cronkite collaborated on a series of fine art books which celebrate America's coastlines: South by Southeast, North by Northeast, and Westwind.  In 1992, Ellis authored The Spirit of Golf with golf journalist Ben Wright.  Paintings of Savannah and Martha's Vineyard have been published in separate volumes: Ray Ellis' Savannah & the Lowcountry and Martha's Vineyard and Affectionate Memoir.  Most recently published are Coastal Images of America and The Road to Ballybunnion. 

 

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BOOKS

 

Ray Ellis is represented in fine galleries across the United States.  He participates in several one-man shows and invitational exhibitions around the country each year.

 

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1999 WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS CARD

On December 6th, 1999, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton unveiled the White House holiday greeting card.  This is the second year that Ray Ellis has been called upon by the President and Mrs.Clinton to paint a White House holiday watercolor for their card.  This years card features the North Portico White House entrance.

 

WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION BICENTENNIAL YEAR 2000 CALENDAR PROJECT

Thirteen artists were commissioned by the White House Historical Association to create paintings of the White House for reproduction in the Bicentennial Year 2000 White House calendar. The artists were selected from states which represent the original thirteen colonies. Ray was invited to represent Georgia. His watercolor, "The Rose Garden in Spring" is featured for the month of April. The thirteen original paintings will be exhibited at the White House Visitors Center through September and then travel to the Presidential Libraries across the U.S. during the year 2000. The painting has been donated to the White House Historic Association's collection.

 

Cover of the White House 2000 Calendar

Ray Ellis

The Rose Garden in Spring

Featured as the month of April

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