Gordon Ellis

Ian Gordon Ellis (17 July 1920 – 3 December 1978) was a British artist who specialised in maritime painting. He had his first commission published in the Liverpool Daily Post at the age of thirteen and after a period as a draughtsman became a professional artist in 1948. Ellis was often commissioned by shipping companies to create paintings of newly launched vessels.

Biography Ellis was born in 1920 in Warrington, Lancashire. His father, Aytoun Ellis, was a writer and historian, and also a descendant of the artist George Frederic Watts. Ellis was educated at the Merchant Taylors School in Crosby where his artistic talent was encouraged. During this time he was given special dispensation to visit the docks to practise his craft. Ellis died from a heart attack in 1978.