VISION
To create art that is clever challenging, aesthetic and within people's ability to buy.
Using lacquers, oxides and printed material, a unique art style has been developed by John Ellis as a powerful tool in the way we can communicate on a 2D surface.
Right brain connection in a left brain world, John invites you to explore the world creatively and to discover the hidden artist in all of us.



 
 
 
 
 
- Solo Exhibitions.

'The Happy Icon Show '  June 2007

The Muse Studio, Ballarat

'The Headless Man Show' November 2007 

The Muse Studio, Ballarat

'Watching Cricket'  October 2008 

 The Muse Studio, Ballarat

'Farce show' May 2009

'Art Gain"  April 2010

'Dream Show' June 2011

 

 Ellis was part of the save the Waverley gallery group.

Recently researched and studied Marionettes in Prague.

In the distant past he was art director for pop videos. 

Producer of  programs for OPTUS local vision.

 

 

Ellis continues to stay on the leading edge of the art world every year by attending annual offerings here and overseas with his travel arts tourist business and as he says it is all about finding the magic in place.

 

 

 

Rescent article in nation magazine - 4 pages about my life and studio.

2008 to2009 January 

Rescent Courses

  • "Grow your Business" $7000 scholarship/ government supported course 2007
  • Gifted and talented-International Conference 2000
  • Manhood Studies - Steve Biddolph
  • Film Script Writing Course Max Robertson Rusden
  • European Study Tour - Chisholm institute 2002
  • Team leader / museum study tour Paris- Chisholm institute 2002
  • Apple Mac courses for 'Final Cut Pro' 2001/2
  • European Study Tour - Art/ industrial design research/ social essays and tour research 2004/5

 

 

SUBJECTS TAUGHT  

  • ART TO YEAR 12   STUDIO ART TO YEAR 12 GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION TO YEAR 12
  • CRAFT / METAL / WOOD / CERAMICS TEXTILES (using soft sculptural methods, and silk screening)
  • English year 10
  • Maths year 10
  • Science year 11
  • Business math VET year 11                                              
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • MEDIA STUDIES YEAR 11/ YEAR 12
  • DRAMA
  • MUSIC APPRECIATION
  • PAINTING/ DRAWING
  • PRINTING
  • ART THEORY/ HISTORY
  • CULTURAL STUDIES/ HISTORY
  • SCULPTURE- PLASTER, WOOD, CERAMIC & CLAY       

 

Changing course mid stream of my career path has been highly productive and creative. I have enormous drive and energy and I am not afraid to take risks. My confidence is all about making a go of things and as a result attempting to change the culture.

My most recent business ventures are basically self-managing and are fundamentally rental processes, which allow me to be more open to new experiences in the work place. I am seeking to use my creative and administrative skills in different organizations throughout in this region. I am committed to this community. It is now my home and I want to work productively and expansively within this place.

 I am a practicing artist and designer. I have most recently used these skills establishing 'The Muse Studios' and 'Curious Traveller' . I am highly creative and inventive and have produced four key properties, which I have designed and built. I am highly skilled and trained in communications and visual presentations. As a teacher I am trained in all the recent views on human psychology thinking and learning.

 I want now to synthesize my knowledge and life experiences into new and exciting ventures that will develop my networks and means of research so that I can ultimately create positive shifts in the culture. And while I am a person who positively looks forward I am however extremely proud of my past and especially the years spent working for the education department. My experience in some ways is my guide

I have over the years developed many contacts within the arts and I will be extending my mentoring skills to help establish young artists to find their professional confidence. My deep love of the arts is encyclopedic and encompasses, 2D/3D work, to a broad understanding of the performing arts. How they all interlock can change the way we see the world.

Excursions I designed allowed the students to experience first hand important exhibitions as an affirmation of what has been learnt in class and what they might like to explore for themselves.The reactions are always fun and genuine and sometimes left of centre. Traveling from Melbourne to Ballarat on a train to see Lloyd Rees' final drawing show a student commented …

"Gee, Sir it made me shiver down my spine." 

This, from a really hardened and difficult student! It is impossible to prove at times the true value of such experiences. You just feel it, and you know you've done your job well by taking the time to explore the real world.

 

As a program producer for OPTUS local vision, I have integrated this type of film work into class lessons with the introduction of new technology made possible by the means of Apple Mac computers. I am Apple Mac trained, have established an $80,000 Apple Mac school and presented a paper about my work in a "Final Cut Pro" training work shop.

  • VIDEO DESIGN AND EDITING "TAYLOR /STEINBERG M.T.V. AMERICA
  • SET DESIGN WORK PROFESSIONALLY FOR THE "MALTHOUSE" MELBOURNE

 

My knowledge encompasses all aspects of music, performing arts, media, culture, visual arts, industrial crafts, architecture, engineering and I seek to unite these various elements into lessons which enables young people to build and create with context, good craft, and intellectual understanding.

 In the late 1990's the Waverley City Gallery was under threat of closure. It houses one of Australia's largest collection of photography. I became the education officer in my own time and developed a student access space, which was written up in The Age newspaper, and my quotes were recorded in the State Parliament of Victoria. The Waverley City Gallery is now well established and no longer is under threat.

  Over the years I have been part of many teams. The main ingredient for success in a group is always to establish common goals for the group and for the task to be undertaken. This log line is essential and means that when thing get tough, everybody move in the same direction. An example of this occurred when I established a program called 'Junk Yard Theatre'. Put on a play for next to no money and see if we could achieve a high degree of creativity.  

This was our goal. In other words; "Lets do a play. Let's be playful". It was such fun that when the piece was performed, we were rewarded with a standing ovation from the parents. Ultimately though it was the success of the team to hold true to common goals that made the difference and made if unforgettable for students.

  • PRODUCED NUMEROUS IN - HOUSE (GALLERY) EXHIBITIONS
  • SCHOOL CONCERTS -PRODUCER
  • WROTE. DESIGNED, PRODUCED AND DIRECTED MY OWN PRODUCTIONS
  • PRODUCED 4 ROCK EISTEDDFODS - 1986/2003 REACHING TELEVISED FINALS
  • SCHOOL CAMPS
  • TAUGHT FOUR KEY SUBJECT AREAS
  • 3 YEARS PRESIDENT BRENTWOOD STAFF ASSOCIATION 

 Recent work

  • Corporate promotional DVDs
  • Exhibitions of paintings
  •  Café layout design
  •   Artist in residence program "The Muse"
  • "Willsmore" accommodation designed and developed
  •  Establishing 'Jira-Zen' accommodation
  • "The Curious Traveller" boutique world group travel 

 

Team leader / museum study tour Paris- Chisholm Institute 2002. I developed a program that engaged tertiary students in a process of comparison of the thematic issues of three great museums. This was one of the great moments of my life and has encouraged me to further my academic studies. I have traveled extensively here and overseas and my focus has always been on the great museums of the world.

2011 Taught for CaLM Link Up Melton

2010 Taught for Impact Teaching London

2004/ 2008 casual teaching work Ballarat secondary College

2008  Established Curious Traveller and my Weekend art workshops in relationship to Willsmore accommodation

2007  Traveled To Europe with my First travel group

2006    Opened my own five star accommodation facility "Willsmore"

2005    CREATIVE DESIGNER & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

            OF MY OWN studio Academy, Muse Studio.

2003    BUSINESS DEVELOPER MANAGER of my own Home Accommodation      business 'Ballarat on the Ridge".

1978    ART / CRAFT/ MEDIA / PERFORMING ARTS TEACHER

            Brentwood Secondary College, Melbourne

            Rainbow Secondary College, Rainbow

 

Independent Work Processes       

  • PROGRAM PRODUCER OPTUS local vision
  • DESIGNER FOR VIDEO AND FILM Countdown
  • PART TIME EDUCATIONAL OFFICER  
  • Ballarat Fine Art Gallery
  • Waverley City Gallery
  • FILM AND EVENTS CATERER 
  • INVOLVEMENT IN FAMILY BUSINESSES:
  • Agricultural Sales & Engineering
  • (Morris Ellis and Sons Ballarat)
  • Performing Arts
  • (William Bates Academy Melbourne)
  • Textiles & Fashion
  • (Lorna Ellis Dressmaker Ballarat).
  • Built/ designed 6 homes and working buildings

 Address Details: 

John M Ellis 413 Armstrong street south Ballarat VIC 3350 

Ph: 03 5331 2806

(M): 0422 130 298