Vic Ellis Artist

Previous comments

Ted Vallance
11/5/2010

Brought up in Southend lived in Old Southend Road(not the most salubrious). Spent a lot of time working on the pleasure boats and generaly mucking about in boats. Moved to London had a sucessful printing busines, moved back to posh Westcliff-on Sea. Over the years bought three Vic Ellis paintings one very big estuary and barges with the forts in the background. Down the hill to the little lay-by and bought several Colin Moore paintings. During the Falklands War I commissioned three painting from Colin: the Sir Galahad on fire, San Carlos Waters under fire and H.M.S. Sheffield. also found another Southend Marine Artist, Michael Barton at an exhibition in Southend Library, Victoria Avenue, I have several of his paintings on the walls in different mediums but have been banned from more marine paintings (nine in my study alone). Have been retired to Norfolk for ten years, a helmsman to The Nancy Oldfield Trust, on the Broads.

Yvonne McGill
14/4/2009

I bought a Vic Ellis Painting in 1981 did not realise it was just before he died. I was a visitor from New Zealand. I live in Auckland New Zealand now, still have the painting I bought and was wondering about its value? It is 210mm x 150mm in size, an oil of 4 small yachts and a marine marker - tide out.

Paul
29/2/2008

Prior to him becoming a full time Painter; Vic Ellis worked for a long time with my late Father-in-Law Reginal Sharp at Moirs as a Dental Technician in the Leigh Road area. We have a Thames Barge Painting of his that was painted when he had his studio at the bottom of Leigh Hill. I had it specially commissioned for my parents 25th Wedding Anmniversary.
I has now been inherited by me and shortly will also hang on my wall when I move to Perth Western Australia.

Mike Patrick
10/2/2008

A brief write-up on Vic Ellis was included was included in "A Celebration of Marine Art (Sixty Years of the Royal Society of Marine Artists)" published 1996 & 2005 ISBN 10:0-753711-39-7 and 13:978-0-753711-39-2 - as follows: "ELLIS Victor William (1921-84) elected to SMA 1969. Lived at Leigh-on-Sea, worked mainly on East Anglian coast and Thames estuary, wide knowledge of East Coast smacks and sailing barges. Served in Royal Navy 1939-45, including Atlantic convoys, awarded D.S.M. Member of Wapping Group of Artists." On page 33 of the 2005 edition is illustrated: "The lower Thames in the 1930s", Oil, 20in x 30in. R.S.M.A. Diploma Collection, by kind permission of Mrs Wynne Ellis.

John Brett
23/1/2008

I was fascinated to read this correspondence. I worked in Southend from 1974 to 1978; one of my colleagues was a girl called Carole who, if I remember was Vic Ellis's niece. When I left I commissioned a painting of Thames barges off Canvey Island, it still takes pride of place on my dining room wall. His hand-written description and authentification certificate is carefully preserved! I can remember visiting his studio in Leigh and chatting to him. I believe he was regularly commissioned by shipping companies for oil-paintings of their vessels for board-room walls and as I recall was a fellow of the Royal Society of Marine Artists.

Sue
16/1/2008

Quite a few people living in Thorpe Bay, Essex, would have a Vic Ellis on their walls, if not two! He mainly painted Thames Barges but the odd one slipped in like an old friend of ours has a water scene with NO boats at all. Another friend has a very small picture of a TRAIN. We own two of his paintings as when we were choosing one, we couldn't decide which we liked and he said for us to take them home and then decide. Once on ours walls, we decided that we liked them both! They are now on our walls in
Perth, Western Australia!

Vic Ellis had his studio in Leigh on Sea. He died in 1983 and then another marine artist, Colin Moore worked either in the same studio or a few doors along.

L SMITH
22/10/2007

You might try Leigh on Sea Council or the local Historical/Nautical Societies. We knew Vic - he had a studio at the bottom of Leigh Hill. Very nice bloke. My late father bought a big picture of his with two Thames Barges off the Ray. We still have it!

Dick Lawrie
21/10/2007

I bought three Vic Ellis's from him when I saw him painting on the sea front at Southend in 1968. They have as their theme Thames sailing barges. I believe Viv won the DCM in WWll whilst serving in the navy. I believe he was a member of the Society of Marine (Maritime) Artists, who might be able to help. Try http://www.staceyauction.com/ - they auctions Vic's stuff from time to time.

T C Bland
13/5/2007

Back in the late '60s I was staying with the family of my father's solicitor in Leigh-on-Sea and we were down in the town somewhere. We went into a shop/studio and met Vic Ellis, who gave me a water colour sketch of a London Sailing Barge. I remember that he was tall and slim with very white hair and brilliant blue eyes. I still have the sketch, which I treasure. I have often wondered about him, and just decided to google his name. Good luck with your search. TCB