Derek Ellis obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Performance Studies from Northwestern University. Through exploring aspects of performance in human nature, as well as many other unique types of performance, he was able to incorporate and expound upon his strong visual sensibility. His interest in the visual image has been expressed many ways, such as being an art framer, an artist, a gallery curator, and even still a sometime-actor. He has been an established prop and still life stylist in the photography industry for over two decades and has currently added art direction to his repetoire.