Meet June Ellis
A lifelong Islander painting the places she calls home
I have lived on Prince Edward Island all my life, and the Island has always been part of who I am.
I grew up on a family farm with seven siblings and later raised my own family on a farm with my husband. The fields, country roads, changing seasons and views toward the water became the landscape I knew by heart.
In 2000, I began taking art classes and quickly discovered how much I loved painting. What began as one evening a week eventually became a lifelong passion.
After retiring from my career with the provincial government in 2015, I was able to devote more time to my art and now spend most days in my studio.
I paint the places that catch my eye around Prince Edward Island: red dirt roads, rolling fields, sandy beaches, dunes, cliffs, lighthouses and quiet Island scenes.
My goal is not simply to record a place. It is to capture the feeling of being there.
I hope my paintings bring back a memory for someone who knows PEI, or inspire someone who has fallen in love with the Island to bring a little piece of it home.
Growing up on PEI
I grew up on a family farm with seven siblings on Prince Edward Island, Canada, and married my husband, the love of my life, at the age of 22, also purchasing a farm of our own. In this quiet country setting, we raised six wonderful children, all learning the importance of hard work. During that time, I worked full-time and took part-time university courses, completing my Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
Finding my way to art
In 2000, I began taking art classes and loved it the minute I started. My family was a great support and knew how important this escape was for me. This was my one evening to get lost in the world of art and be fortunate to have such a great teacher and a group of fellow artists. I have continued to take painting classes and find wonderful instructors and fellow artists whose enthusiasm, knowledge and encouragement fanned the flames of my love of painting.
Training: studied under Island artists Lise Genova, Lucie Bellemare, Henry Purdy, Sandi Komst, Maurice Bernard, Emily Durant and Nan Ferrier.
Why I paint Prince Edward Island
The beautiful scenery on Prince Edward Island excites and inspires me. For over 26 years, I have been creating original seascape, lighthouse and landscape paintings that capture the beauty of nature. I strive to portray the unique colours, texture, and light that make up each environment.
It is important to me that I share this with others so that they can appreciate the beauty around us.
My painting style
I like to capture these scenes in soft colours in my realistic oil and acrylic paintings. The soft colours are my trademark. I want to bring peace, calm, and joy to whoever views and purchases my artwork.
My favourite medium is working in oil, and I also enjoy acrylic and pastels. I love painting landscapes, seascapes, lighthouses, and farm fields.
My art today
In 2015, I retired from my full-time work with the provincial government and turned to my art with a passion. I have my own art room, which is now set up permanently where I can be found most days painting or planning my next piece of art.
I have done several commissioned pieces for customers wanting something special: birthday presents, wedding gifts, and unique artwork for businesses. Recently some of my paintings have been enlarged as prints to adorn the walls at Mill River Resort, PEI.
Exhibitions and galleries
- The Eptek Centre: 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026
- McNaught House, 2019
- McNaught House: two solo exhibitions
- La Palette Art Cooperative
- Summerside Art Club
- Kensington Art Cooperative
- Art in Motion, Summerside, several years
- The Dunes in Brackley, several years
- The Landing in Tyne Valley
- Northport Pier in Alberton
- Ellen’s Creek Gallery and Framing, Charlottetown
- The Buyers’ Market, Charlottetown
- The Women’s Works Project for Anderson House, Confederation Centre of the Arts
- The Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Summerside
- The Artist Forum, Mill River Resort
Media and interviews
- Interview with PEI Living Magazine, spring 2022
- Interview with Artists in Canada
Commission a painting
I am always happy to talk about a custom painting, and I also give art classes and paint parties.
For updates on recent paintings and works in progress, have a look at the studio blog, or sign up for my newsletter, June’s Easel.
