Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Ellis.
Hi Madison, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always felt deeply rooted in Eastern North Carolina. I grew up here, spending my summers along the Crystal Coast and the rest of my childhood surrounded by animals, nature, and plenty of opportunities to create. Even before I knew what I wanted to do with my life, I knew I loved making things and telling stories.
I went on to study at the College of Charleston, graduating in 2016 with degrees in Historic Preservation & Community Planning, Studio Art, and Art History. My plan was to return home to Eastern North Carolina and pursue a career in community planning. As it turns out, my path had something entirely different in store.
Not long after returning home, I found myself traveling up and down the East Coast on a book tour with a chef and cookbook author. She was an artist in her own right and one of the most captivating storytellers I’ve ever worked alongside. Through that experience, I was introduced to so much more than cooking. I learned about agriculture, food, history, and the traditions that make Eastern North Carolina so special. Most importantly, it gave me a deeper appreciation for the place I had always called home.
When the tour ended, I knew I wanted to stay. I settled in Kinston, NC, where I took a full-time job and, on the side, found a local studio where I could continue painting. For the next several years, I learned the business side of the creative world — sales, marketing, relationships, and all the behind-the-scenes pieces that go into building something of your own.
Those experiences gave me something I didn’t realize I needed: the confidence to take my art seriously as a career. In February 2023, I took the leap and became a full-time artist.
Today, I’m lucky enough to call the little waterfront town of New Bern, North Carolina home. So much of what I create is a reflection of the life I’ve built here and the things I’ve always loved — animals, nature, pattern, design, home, and the people who make it meaningful.
At the heart of my work is storytelling. I want my art to feel like it belongs to a place, a person, or a memory. I love the idea that something I create might become part of someone else’s story, too. That’s ultimately what makes the work so meaningful to me, and I hope that sense of joy and connection comes through in everything I make.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road certainly hasn’t always been smooth. Much of the work I do, especially painting floors and homes, requires a very specific set of skills that I’ve had to teach myself along the way. Every project is different, and each one seems to bring a new challenge that requires me to think creatively and figure things out as I go. I’ve also had to learn to give myself grace — to embrace the mistakes, learn from them, and understand that they’re part of the process.
This past year brought an entirely new kind of challenge when my husband and I welcomed our first child. Balancing motherhood with running a small business has probably been the biggest learning curve I’ve faced. Having a child changes everything, in the most wonderful way, but it also means my time looks very different than it once did.
I’ve had to become much more intentional about where I put my energy. I’ve learned to say no to work that doesn’t truly bring me joy and, instead, make more room for the projects and ideas that do. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a small business owner, it’s that you grow by doing — by learning from your experiences, staying curious, and allowing yourself to evolve.
Most importantly, I’ve learned that being true to yourself is one of the greatest assets you can bring to your work. The things that feel the most authentic to me are always the things that shine the brightest.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I started my career painting collections on canvas, but over time, that work naturally grew into something much bigger. I’ve always loved the idea of stepping into someone’s home and creating something that makes the space feel uniquely theirs. Sometimes that means painting a floor or creating a wall mural; other times, it’s something much smaller and deeply personal, like hand-painting a Bible. I love that my work can exist in so many different forms, but still carry the same sense of individuality and meaning.
I’ve always been drawn to pattern and design, but storytelling is at the heart of everything I create. I want my work to feel personal and connected to a place — whether it’s a painting, a repeating pattern, or a piece created specifically for someone’s home. Much of my inspiration comes from growing up along the coast and from the natural world around me, so there is often a distinctly Southern and coastal thread woven throughout my work.
I’m probably most proud of building a creative career that feels genuinely like me. Becoming a full-time artist in 2023 was a huge leap of faith, but it allowed me to build a business around the things I truly love. My background in studio art and art history, along with my studies in historic preservation and community planning and my years working in sales and marketing, have all shaped the way I approach my work today. I think all of those seemingly different experiences have ultimately come together in a way I never could have planned.
What I think sets my work apart is that I’m not simply interested in making something beautiful. I’m interested in making something meaningful. I want to know the story behind a space, a person, or an object and find a way to bring that story to life through art. I love the idea that something I create can become connected to a memory, a place, or a particular season of someone’s life.
Ultimately, I want my work to feel joyful, personal, and a little nostalgic. I want it to feel like it belongs — not just in a home, but in the story of the people who live there. And there’s nothing more rewarding to me than knowing something I created has become part of someone else’s story.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Honestly, when I think about the next five to ten years, I’m less focused on predicting exactly where the industry is going and more focused on being willing to follow where God leads me.
I feel incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity and the gifts to make a living doing work that I love. I never imagined I would be where I am today, and I truly believe God has guided me to this point. If the last few years have taught me anything, it’s that my plans rarely unfold exactly the way I imagine them — and somehow, the path I end up on is always more beautiful than the one I had planned.
So, as my industry continues to evolve, I hope I can remain open and attentive to where I’m being called next. I want to continue creating, growing, and learning, but I also want to leave room for the unexpected. I can make all the plans in the world, but I’ve learned that some of the best things happen when I let go of my own expectations and trust the direction God is leading me.
Whatever the next five or ten years hold, I hope I can continue to listen, stay true to myself, and have the faith to follow God wherever he leads me. More than anything, I’m grateful for the journey so far. My life and career have turned out more beautifully than I ever could have imagined, and I’m excited to see what comes next
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mauckart.com
- Instagram: mauckmadeart
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/mauckmadeart
