About The Artist
owynn Auxin Ellis (formerly CCJ Ellis) is a professional fantasy Illustrator and Author from Bangor in North Cymru. Their work often draws inspiration from Cymru folklore and Brythonic mythologies, working mainly with pen, ink, watercolour and digital media.
They attended Wrexham University and achieved a BA Honours Degree in Illustration and a Masters in Design Communication. Over the years they have worked with a number of clients including; Wizards Of The Coast, Saga Press, Rebellion Publishing House, Penguin Random House, Owl Crate, Astra Publishing and Harper Collins. Rowynn has also organised and launched a number of successful crowdfunding campaigns, two of which lead to the international publication of the books 'Welsh Monsters & Mythical Beasts' & 'Here be Dragons'.
Currently Rowynn is working on a series of personal projects exploring and documenting creatures and associated legends from Cymru folklore. Their aim is to create resources that take you on a journey through the symbolism and history of Wales’ most renowned folk tales, customs and mythical creatures.
Clients, Media, Publications
Education:
MA - Design Communication, BA Hons - Illustration, Foundation Degree - DesignNational Diploma - Art & Design
Clients:
DAW, Displate, Eye of Newt Press, Harper Collins Publishing, Inhabit media, Magic the Gathering, Melin Bapur, OwlCrate,
Penguin Random House, Rebellion Publishing House, Saga Press, Solaris, Wizards of the Coast
Press & Magazines:
BBC Wales Today Show, BITS Magazine, CBRNE World Magazine, Imagine FX, Infected by Art, Nerdist Magazine
Exhibitions & Events:
Art in the Garden 'Art North Wales', Hyper Japan, MCM Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester & London, Cardiff Comic Con, Liverpool Comic Con, Oriel Ynys Môn, Thought Bubble
London MCM Comic Con - 2025
October Saturday Artist Alley Stage interview with BBC radio presenter Kofi Smiles on 'Welsh Monsters & Mythical Beasts'.
Melin Bapur 'Mil Naw Wyth Deg Pedwar' / '1984' - 2025
Cover art for a the first Welsh language edition of George Orwell's novel
Published October 2025
OwlCrate 'The Incandescent' - 2025
Cover art for a special OwlCrate edition of Emily Tesh’s Fantasy novel 'The Incandescent'
Published June 2025
Clip Studio Paint's 43rd International Illustration Contest - 2025
Secured 9th place for the artwork 'Moon Eater'
May 2025
#HumanArt 'Fens Guide to Myriad Realms' - 2025
'Dream Dragon' - Collaborative Kickstarter project with 85+ Illustrators and Writers for a 5th edition D&D supplement.
Astra Publishing / Solaris / DAW/ Penguin Random House 'The Serpent Called Mercy' - 2025
Cover art for Roanne Lau’s Fantasy novel 'The Serpent Called Mercy'
Art Director Katie Anderson
Published March 2025
CBRNe World Magazine 'February Issue' - 2025
Cover Illustration commissioned by CBRNe MAGAZINE 'published every two months by Falcon Communications Ltd serves the information needs of professionals around the world charged with planning for or responding to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosives (CBRNe) threat or incident'.
Kickstarter 'Here be Dragons' - 2024
An illustrated edition of Ralph Whitlock's book featuring a compendium of dragon legends from Britain and its surrounding Isles
A collaboration with Eye of Newt Books - Kickstarter was fully funded in under 24 hours
Birmingham MCM Comic Con - 2024
Guest Artist in Artist Alley
Displate - 2024
Special Limited Edition holographic Displate 'Long Ma'
BITS Magazine 'Queer Living' Volume 2 - 2024
Featured illustration 'Transformation' A tribute to powerful and transformative feminine energy'
Nerdist Magazine - 2024
Featured cover artwork for 'The Serpent Called Mercy' (Astra Publishing)
Displate - 2024
Special Limited Edition UV Reactive Displate 'Reforged'
Magic the Gathering - 2024
The Beauty of the Beasts Secret Lair Winter Superdrop - 2024
AD: Jacob Covey
- ‘Voracious Hydra’
- ‘Scourge of Valkas’
- ‘Serpent of Yawning Depths’
- ‘Peregrine Drake’
- ‘Felidar Guardian’
London MCM Comic Con - 2023
October Saturday Panellist Artist Alley Stage 'Myths & Monsters Artist Panel - Finding Your Art Style'
Alongside artists Mate Jako, Sarah Mason and PhaseChan
Magic the Gathering - 2023
Secret Lair Showdown Championship
AD: Jacob Covey
- 'Murktide Regent'
Infected by Art - 2022
Volume 10 (Page 191) - Artwork 'Reforged'
(Under name CCJEllis)
WyrmWood Gaming - 2022
Corrupted Tarot Card set
- 'The Devil'
- 'Five of Cups'
(Under name CCJEllis)
Disclaimer: No longer affiliated, but I am proud of the work I produced for this project
Eye of Newt Press - 2021
Wrote and Illustrated 'Welsh Monsters & Mythical Beasts'
'A Guide to the legendary creatures from Celtic-Welsh myth and Legend' Written and Illustrated by Rowynn Ellis
(First published under name CCJ Ellis)
Imagine FX Magazine - 2016
Fantasy Illustrator Expose Traditional Artist (Page 102)
(Under name CCJ Ellis)
Welsh Mythical Beasts Exhibit - 2014
Organised an accessible exhibition at Oriel Ynys Môn that allowed audiences to engage with tactile, hand-sculpted works.
(Under name CCJ Ellis)