“I’d been struggling with the claustrophobic nature of lockdown in the city. Glasgow is grey, wet and cold and I really wanted a piece of escapism, so I made up a new island to go on Scotland’s west coast – the isle of Selky, populated entirely by seal people. If it existed I would live there! I want people to also feel like my art is a bit of escapism, especially nowadays. If I can provide an interesting warm world to look at, I’m happy.“
Ellie was born in Reading, England but moved to Scotland to study in Edinburgh college of Art and never ended up leaving. Her dream life is to live in the highlands with three dogs, two cats and one shire horse. Her work is inspired by her love of unusual folkloric imagery, animals and nature.