Portfolio
Artwork that tells a story.
Each piece begins with curiosity — nature, wildlife, people and everyday moments — and carries a message of imagination, hope and care for our planet.
© Jesse Ellis
My Hat, My Shelter, My Story
2026
Hear Me, See Me, Walk with Me
My Hat, My Shelter, My Story (2026) is an abstract portrait reflecting the strength and emotional journey of refugees. The hat symbolizes the shelter and sense of safety many refugees long for.
Through intentional color choices, this artwork expresses hope, healing, peace of mind, courage, and resilience during uncertain times. The large ears echo the message “Hear me,” reminding viewers that refugees seek not only protection but also understanding.
Two tears quietly acknowledge the pain of displacement while affirming shared humanity.
Through this artwork, I hope we can listen with empathy and walk alongside refugees as they search for safety, stability, and understanding.
ADRA Europe Art Competition — awaiting results
© Jesse Ellis
The Hundredth Dawn of Our Bongos
2026
The Hundredth Dawn of Our Bongos
The Hundredth Dawn of Our Bongos (2026) is a mixed-media artwork celebrating the critically endangered mountain bongo.
Painted in gold with protective black outlines and a symbolic road to recovery, it honors the 100th calf milestone and Kenya’s conservation journey.
My artwork inspires young artists to raise awareness about endangered species through art.
Global Canvas, art competition by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation — awaiting results
© Jesse Ellis
J.EL vs. The Plastic Menace
2025
Ending Pollution, Conserving the Environment
Inspired by the FLAMA 2025 theme, “Ending Pollution, Conserving the Environment” (Komesha Uchafuzi, Hifadhi Mazingira) and aligned with World Environment Day 2025, this painting blends comic-style art with environmental messaging.
J.EL, the superhero, battles a monstrous plastic villain on a polluted shore, symbolizing humanity’s fight against plastic pollution and calling for urgent environmental responsibility.
© Jesse Ellis
Toxic Flow
2025
Toxic Flow (FLAMA 2025)
Drawn with graphite pencils, Toxic Flow exposes the environmental toll of unchecked plastic production. Factories release toxic smoke while waste suffocates polluted rivers. Oversized plastic containers overwhelm the landscape, fish die, and trees bear plastic-wrapped fruit.
The drawing is a strict call for accountability and urgent action to protect our planet’s air, water, and land.
© Jesse Ellis
When the Village Sleeps
2025
When the Village Sleeps
My painting shows how a giant spider traps a child in chains, symbolizing the danger children face alone.
The smaller spider warns how threats grow if ignored. While the bright background shows hope, the mesh reveals barriers from a broken community and lost values.
Safety comes only when we unite to protect every child.
Missing Children Art Competition — 2025
© Jesse Ellis
Renewal from Fragility: A Kenyan Vision
2024
My Award-Winning Painting
FIRST LADY MAZINGIRA AWARDS, 2024
Renewal from Fragility: A Kenyan Vision was inspired by the FLAMA 2024 theme, “Restore Our Land, Secure Our Future” ( Turejeshe Ardhi Yetu, Tuhakikishe Mustakabali Wetu ).
This painting reminds us to use renewable energy, such as wind, solar, and water, to address climate change. If we don’t, we will be fragile like an egg.
My first professional competition painting, completed between June and August 2024, was awarded in October 2024 during Mazingira Day at State House by the First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto.
First Lady Mazingira Awards — Awarded October 2024
© Jesse Ellis
Stories of Africa’s Migratory Fish
2026
2026 Fish International Winners — Art of Conservation
Stories of Africa’s Migratory Fish, 2026 is a painting that explores the beauty, movement, and interconnectedness of Africa’s aquatic ecosystems.
Through the Nile Perch and Bull Shark, the artwork highlights migration, adaptation, biodiversity, and the impact of introduced species. Vibrant waters, bubbles, textured land, clouds, and lightning bring the underwater world to life.
The piece encourages us to protect rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastlines as vital habitats that sustain fish, plants, wildlife, and communities.
2026 Fish International Winners — Art of Conservation
© Jesse Ellis
Spread Love
2025
Spread Love
Spread Love (2025) is one of my favourite multimedia pieces, a collage that allowed me to bring together cardboard, modelling clay, tissue paper, paint, coiled jute rope and protective gloss, all within a simple frame to create one message.
At the centre is a tree, with the action words “Spread Love” towards the end. These words go beyond showing kindness to people. They speak about caring for nature and the planet we all share.
The work connects love with climate action, showing that protecting trees, reducing waste and caring for our environment are small acts that can make a difference. When we love, we also protect what we love.
© Jesse Ellis
Flash Built Dot by Dot
2025
Free Expression and Style Exploration
While exploring pointillism in my artwork, I used vibrant dots from marker pens to bring the superhero Flash to life.
The process emphasizes patience, texture, and careful layering of colour while also serving as a study in human figure drawing through the disciplined placement of individual dots.
Medium: Marker pens on paper, using a pointillism technique (layered coloured dots).
© Jesse Ellis
Starry Night Jesse Ellis’ Version
2023Starry Night Self-Explore
Starry Night Self-Explore, 2025
Inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s iconic Starry Night, my interpretation transforms the familiar night sky into a vibrant exploration of colour and movement.
This painting captures the spirit of Van Gogh’s expressive style while reflecting my freedom to reinterpret, experiment and make the familiar distinctly authentic in execution.
© Jesse Ellis
Shields of Safety
2025
Shields of Safety
Medium: Graphite pencil drawing on paper with paper labels detailed in pen.
Created for an art competition in May 2025 to mark International Missing Children's Day and organized by the Kenya Ministry of Labour and Social Protection under the Directorate of Children Services, this mixed media art piece reflects the need for vigilance.
A child walks beneath stormy skies as hidden threats linger, while umbrellas labeled police, teachers, parents, and community symbolize protection through shared responsibility and unity.
Missing Children Art Competition — May 2025
© Jesse Ellis
Stylized Optimus Prime
2025
Stylized Optimus Prime
Stylized Optimus Prime, 2025
As a fan of robots and their futuristic capabilities, I was inspired to create a monochrome drawing of Optimus Prime. I was drawn to his bold mechanical structure, intricate details, and the idea of how technology can transform imagination into something powerful and expressive.
The artwork reflects my fascination with technology, robotics, and the possibilities of the future, while also allowing me to explore how a familiar fictional character can be reinterpreted through my own artistic style.