Charles Frederick Ellis (July 1, 1922, to October 1, 2004) was raised in Audubon, NJ. He attended the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts) and in the 1940s was an instructor there.
His grandfather was a six-term mayor of Camden, NJ, and Postmaster in the 1920s and early 30s. You can read about Charles H. Ellis here.
In the 1960s and 1970s, he worked as an illustrator for Hoedst Studios (sp?) and the Bruno Meese ad agency both located in Philadephia. He was invited to join the faculty of the newly-opened Art Institute of Philadelphia in 1971 by its founder Phil Trachtenberg who had been a student of Charles at the Philadelphia College of Art. By 1974 he was the Assistance Director of the school. You can read an interview with Charles printed in the GRAPE, a newsletter published by the Art Institute of hiladelphia.
Throughout his life, Charles maintained an active freelance career with art ranging from murals to portraits, with clients including Jack and Jill magazine, The Eastern Baptist Convention, illustrations for articles appearing in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Saturday Evening Post, and a large number of record album covers for Miller International Records.
His art has been sold at auction houses and is available at 1stDibs and The Illustrated Gallery
Chapman University’s David B. Moore sent this biographical contribution to Charles Ellis’ niece, Lynne Doti.
BIOGRAPHY
(1922 – 2004)
Charles F. Ellis passed on October 1st, 2004 at the age of 82. Mr. Ellis was hired to teach illustration in 1971 at the newly opened Art Institute of Philadelphia. He remained at the school for 22 years, teaching promising pupils such as poster artist Richard Amsel and painter Jamie Wyeth, who became a friend.Mr. Ellis also worked as a commercial artist for local advertising agencies; did illustrations for the Saturday Evening Post, Jack and Jill Magazine, The Inquirer’s Sunday Magazine and other publications; and painted portraits for wealthy clients.
While studying art in Philadelphia, he worked at Taws art-supply store and attracted customers by painting watercolors in the store window. In August 1988, he again painted for the public in the window of the Gallery of the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Mr. Ellis graduated from the Pennsylvania Museum School of Industrial Art (now University of the Arts), where he later taught. He also studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Chapman recognizes that Lynne Doti’s uncle, Charles F. Ellis (1922-2004), was a noted American illustrator, and this personal connection serves as added inspiration for Donors in making the Gift. Mr. Ellis was a founding faculty member at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, teaching promising pupils such as poster artist Richard Amsel and painter Jamie Wyeth. His illustrations were featured in the Saturday Evening Post, Jack and Jill Magazine, The Inquirer’s Sunday Magazine and other publications. Supporting a family of five, he also worked for a variety of advertising agencies and was known for painting portraits.
This website will be featuring more of his artwork over time. If you see a piece you are interested in purchasing, please let us know by filling out the form below.