Ellis’ gallery focuses on nature

Photo by Karen Donato
FOCUS ON NATURE — Dr. Bob Ellis is the featured artist at the Blue Moon Gallery in Visions on Main Street in Houlton. His photography collection, “Focus on Nature” was taken within 100 miles of Houlton. The members of the Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Program will host a reception for Ellis on Friday, July 1 from 6 p.m. until 8.
By Karen Donato
Special to the Pioneer
    Dr. Bob Ellis, nature photographer and optometrist, is the featured artist at the Blue Moon Gallery in Visions on Main Street. Ellis, a local optometrist has a passion for photography and one might say his nature photography just comes naturally.
    A few days after Ellis was born at the Madigan Hospital, his dad, Donald came to take his wife, Ruth and their new son home. Upon arriving at the hospital he announced that he not only had a new son, but had purchased a camp at Grand Lake in Orient and that is where they went for his first night out of the hospital. As Ellis thought about his childhood he said that his parents were definitely a big influence on his own appreciation of what is around him.
    “They both loved nature,” said Ellis. “They provided many adventures and experiences around the lake, camping, fishing and hunting for my sister, Linda and me. They built many trails and bridges on their lake property over the years and appreciated the wildlife and natural habitat,” he added.
    “We spent all our summers there,” Ellis said.
    His mother was also a very dedicated member and past president of the Houlton Garden Club.
    Ellis, a graduate of Houlton High School, attended the University of Maine at Orono and received his doctor of optometry degree from Ohio State University, College of Optometry in 1971.
    He became interested in photography just after college when he worked as a glaciologist assistant in Alaska and Antarctica for the summer.
    “A co-worker of mine had a nice Pentax 35mm, with special lenses that took great pictures.” Ellis said. “I had never seen anything quite like it. I only had a little Kodak camera. Nothing like what he had. But, I started taking pictures anyway and that is how my passion began.”
    After his Alaskan venture, Ellis returned to Houlton and made plans to open a practice in the Ellsworth area, however he was drafted into the United States Army Medical Corps. He completed basic training in San Antonio, Texas and was stationed for two years at Ft. Polk in Louisiana.
    Finally in 1973 he returned to Houlton and decided this was where he wanted to be. His dad was getting ready to retire, so Ellis took over the business.
    When Ellis has free time you can find him sailing at the lake. or maybe inside his camouflaged hut floating on the water to get that perfect shot of a loon He is also active in the community as a Rotarian and a member of McGill’s Community Band.
    Ellis has come a long way from his Kodak camera of the 1970s. Today he uses a Nikon D300 and an 80-200mm lens. He primarily does close-up macro photography, capturing beautiful flowers, scenic landscapes, butterflies, fiddleheads, ducks and birds. He prints all of his own work, as well as matting and framing each piece. Many of his photographs grace the walls of his office on Court Street.
    “The selection of photos on display at the gallery were taken within 100 miles of Houlton,” said Ellis. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One does not have to travel to distant locations to find such beauty.”
    His photography has been published in Nature Photographer’s magazine, the Appalachian Trail calendar, Appalachian Guidebook, “Eat, Taste, Heal” and an Ayurvedic cookbook, as well as a variety of brochures. His pictures are also on display at a variety of dining establishments throughout Maine.
    Ellis admits he is pretty much self-taught, attending seminars to hear well-noted photographers and always reading.
    His favorite time of the year is fall with all the beautiful colors and one of his favorite places is Mt. Katahdin. He has also taken some beautiful shots of the mountain while on winter camping trips.
    The Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project will be hosting a reception for Ellis, Friday, July 1 from 6-8 p.m. His collection will be on display until July 23.
    Ellis said that he is very honored to be selected for this showing and that it also coincided with his 50th high school class reunion, so he will be able to share this occasion with many of his former classmates. He will also have his two adult children, Hilary and Andrew and new granddaughter with him at the gallery for the reception.
    Visit the Web site www. bobellisnaturephotography.com to view samples of his work.