Artist Biography

Chuck Ellis is a lathe artist working in the beautiful Cherokee National Forest. He began his love for wood turning in Houston, Texas when he received a lathe as a Christmas gift about 8 years ago. He began wood turning that same day in his garage, but quickly moved his new lathe to a 10 x 11 shed in the back yard where he worked until 2005, when he retired to Tennessee after over 40 years in the Freight and Logistics industry.

Chuck began his artist career doing hand crafted writing instruments from local and exotic woods, deer antler, water buffalo horn and a number of man-made acrylics, polygems and various engineered woods. While he still makes fine writing instruments, Chuck has expanded his line of wood turnings to include bowls, wine bottle stoppers, game calls, peppermills and other fine wood turnings.

In August of 2005, he passed a 40 year mile stone in his career and his wife had passed her 20th year mark in the same industry.
After a cumulative career of 60 years of dealing with the stresses and problems of international shipping, the conclusion was that enough was enough and this artist couple made the decision to retire from their respective companies and move to their new home in the Cherokee National Forest.