MY STORY
My artist name “Ellair” comes from my full name, Edith Ellwood Pair and the street I grew up on in Grosse Pointe, MI named “Ellair Place.”
I can still remember my first oil painting set bought by my father and given to me at 8 years old. Together we painted my first still-life with an easel in our our dining room. After that, I was hooked and made art my full time commitment in life.
After graduating high school in 1992, I attended Parsons School of Design pre-college course and my love of fashion design sprung to life. I continued onto graduate with a BFA from the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1996 with a major in Fashion Design. I worked for various companies as an Assistant Buyer until I decided to move back to Charlevoix to open my own gallery.
Ellair Gallery opened in 2006 which was an unfortunate time to start anything due to the struggling economy. Despite the lack luster financial world at that time…I did remain open for almost 6 years. I finally pulled the plug and concentrated on doing custom order artwork, freelancing and focusing on my now famous “Mushroom House Tour” company.
Since then I am proud to have been accepted into ArtPrize in Grand Rapids for three years running and have my artwork in numerous galleries in the Northern Michigan area including what I consider to be the best gallery in the state, Michigan Artist Gallery, in Traverse City, MI.
Elements Gallery in Charlevoix also hosts my work and is home to my Mushroom House Tours.
I have been lucky to have many custom order clients who give me steady freelance and custom orders and have been recently commissioned by Harborview Cafe in Charlevoix to do all the murals for their new establishment.
Look for my famous "Pear-on-a-Plate" hidden in each of my pieces, showing it is an original work of Edith Pair!!
CONTACT ME
WHAT THE HECK I HAVE BEEN UP TO
LATEST AND GREATEST
September
ARTPRIZE: 2016, 2017, 2018 AND HOPEFULLY 2020
I have been so blessed to have been accepted into ArtPrize for the past 3 years running. ArtPrize is a world renown art exhibit that takes place every September in Grand Rapids, Mi. It is known for being extremely competitive and only the "best of the best" are in attendance.
August
CHARLEVOIX VENETIAN ARTIST: 2019
Each year a local artist is chosen to represent Charlevoix's main tourist and local attraction, the Venetian Festival. It is a time honored tradition and I was thrilled to be the selected artist for 2019.
2020/2021
"Batteries Not Included"
Children's Book 2021
I am thrilled to finally launch, format and print our beloved children's book, "Batteries Not Included."
Written by my late mother and myself, it's been a dream to write a book with a meaning. The plot being there is more to life than electronics was something very near and dear to my mom's heart. You can find signed/numbered copies at Elements Gallery or by emailing me on contact page. Facebook/Instagram: BatteriesNotIncluded
MY WORK
BEAUTIFUL PIECES
MOST OF MY ARTWORK WILL BE CUSTOM ORDERED TO YOUR LIKING SO EACH CAN BE ORIGINAL AND ONE OF A KIND!! SCROLL THROUGH THE SHOP AND GALLERY...IF SOMETHING SPIKES YOUR INTEREST....GIVE ME A SHOUT. MY MOTTO IS "YES IS THE ANSWER, WHAT IS THE QUESTION?" MOST PIECES CAN BE MADE AND DELIVERED WITHIN 2-3 WEEKS!!!
THE FABULOUS FISH
SERENDIPITOUS SERVING TRAYS
FUNKY ASS FURNITURE
Scroll down through shop and photo gallery for ideas and contact me directly for custom orders!!
THINGS TO DO
GET INSPIRED
In addition to creating one of a kind artwork as a freelancer....I also indulge in some other creative outlets. My love for Charlevoix is unrequited so check out these wonderful things I offer, while visiting this wonderful town.
MUSHROOM HOUSE TOURS
Visit www.MushroomHouseTours.com....tours offered year-round!
BEST GALLERY IN CHARLEVOIX
211 Bridge St......open year-round!!!
There is one "must see" store to visit if you are blessed to come to Charlevoix!
Elements Gallery has been in business for over 17 years and features some of the best artists in Northern Michigan.
It also happens to be the meeting place for my "Mushroom House Tours", "Paint N Parties" and is the shaowcase for many items on this website. It's located at 211 Bridge St, Charlevoix, MI. 231 547-5820.