Up North Studio

"Chik-Wauk Trapper" (2026)
9" x 12", Oil on Gessoboard

Located on the historic grounds of the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, this cabin is a carefully reconstructed tribute to the pioneers of the Boundary Waters. It stands as a physical memory of the trappers who once worked the rugged corridor between the Gunflint Trail and the Canadian border.
Its placement among the birch and spruce reflects the deep connection these early inhabitants had with the boreal landscape. As a reconstruction, the cabin doesn't just show us how people lived; it honors the enduring spirit of the North Woods, serving as a silent sentinel on the shores of Sagaganaga Lake.

The work was inspired by my Artist in Residency on the Gunflint Trail in 2025, and completed in my studio. A special thank you to the Gunflint Trail Historical Society and the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center..

A Limited Edition Print from the Up North Studio "Minnesota North Shore Collection". Prints are signed and numbered with a limited edition run of 50 prints and include a Certificate of Authenticity.

jamesellisfineart.com

📰 STUDIO UPDATE: INTRODUCING THE UP NORTH PORTFOLIO ✨

​For the past couple of years, my newsletter has been a wonderful way to stay in touch with friends, collectors, and fellow artists who share a deep love for the North Shore. To make sure I am delivering the highest quality content possible without taking too much critical time away from the easel, I am making an exciting shift.

​Moving forward, the newsletter is transitioning to a bi-monthly schedule (arriving in your inbox once every two months). Along with this new rhythm comes a complete redesign.

​Welcome to The Up North Portfolio.

​Each bi-monthly issue will act as a focused digital gallery dispatch straight from my studio in Duluth, featuring three dedicated articles:
​🌲 OFF THE EASEL: A deep-dive look into a single, recently completed alla prima original painting, focusing on the specific North Shore landscape that inspired it.
​🎨 THE ARTIST’S EYE: A quick, behind-the-scenes look at the unexpected discoveries, studio processes, and palette knife work that happen at the canvas.
​🏛️ PRESERVING HISTORY: A revolving series dedicated to regional history, unique material use, and the stories behind the art—such as our upcoming look at sourcing rare, reclaimed timber from the 2018 Globe Elevator fire for custom frames.

​The goal of The Portfolio remains exactly the same: to document, share, and preserve the rugged, natural beauty of Northern Minnesota.

​(Note: If you are already a newsletter subscriber, you are all set! You don't need to do a thing—the new format will arrive automatically in your inbox.)

​If you aren't already on the list, you can sign up for the newsletter today on my website. By subscribing, you will automatically secure your spot in the Collector's Circle and instantly receive a complimentary download of the JEFA Insider's Guide to Collecting Fine Art as a thank-you benefit.

​Thank you all for your continued support of my work and regional art!

​👇 Link to subscribe is in the comments below!

The Life of a Painting: Hidden Cascade 🎨

Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to start over.
There’s a common myth that an artist sits down, picks up a brush, and a finished piece flows out exactly as planned. I’m here to tell you: that is rarely the case. I wanted to share the behind-the-scenes evolution of my latest oil painting, Hidden Cascade. It was a journey of four very different lives:

Step 1: The Foundation. It started with an idea of a sun-drenched path or creek through the evergreens. Warm, predictable, and safe.

Step 2: The Pivot. I decided to shift the season to winter. I pushed the paint around, added heavy snow to the trees, and tried to find the "chill." But something felt off—the soul of the piece was missing.

Step 3: The Scrape. This is the moment most people don't see. I wasn’t happy, so I took my palette knife and scraped the canvas back down to its bones.

Step 4: The Discovery. What was left behind weren't just "mistakes"—they were "ghosts." Those remaining shadows and stained shapes provided a roadmap I couldn’t have planned. They led me to the final work you see here.

By letting go of my original "plan," I found the movement and light that Hidden Cascade actually needed. 🌲💦

Which stage is your favorite to see? Let me know in the comments!

jamesellisfineart.com

✨ NEW FOR 2026! ✨

I’m thrilled to announce that my 2026 Collection has officially arrived. Whether you're getting lost in a good book or sending a handwritten note to a friend, you can now carry a piece of the North Shore with you. 🌲🌊

📖 Artist Bookmark Series

Elevate your reading experience with four new designs:
❄️ Etched in White
✨ Golden Silence
🍂 Tapestry
🌿 Respite

✉️ Artist Note Cards

New imagery for heartfelt connections:
⚓ Vanguards & The Mainmast
🛶 Chik-Wauk Trapper
☀️ Golden Silence
💎 Hidden Cascade
❄️ Etched in White

📍 SHOP LOCAL:
Support your local arts scene! You can find the new collection at these wonderful locations:

🔹 Duluth: Olde Towne Galleries , Duluth Studio Market , & Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace
🔹 Grand Marais: Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery
🔹 St. Louis Park: Canvas Convergence St. Louis Park

🌐 SHOP ONLINE:

Can’t make it to the gallery? Browse and shop the full collection from home:
👉 jamesellisfineart.com