[1] Ellis was an accomplished painter from an early age, with his first commission being published in the Liverpool Daily Post when just thirteen years old.
[2] He had two works, including one depicting the Royal Navy training ship HMS Nile, featured in the Tatler periodical whilst still in his teens; however at the time his age was not divulged.
[3][4][5][2] During World War II Ellis was a draughtsman in Clydebank, contributing to the design and production of many wartime vessels for John Brown & Company.
[2] While his main abode as an adult was in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Ellis's art continued to be linked with the ships and dockside area of Merseyside, even while he also worked in the landscape and portrait genres.
Turning to become a professional artist in 1948 when 27 years old, Ellis was often commissioned by shipping companies to paint their newly launched vessels, which was a regular custom at that time.