The Dreamscape Magic
of Michael Ellison

Chimayo Trading Staff Report | April 2026

In the high desert of northern New Mexico, long a magnet for artists, mystics, and free spirits, Taos has nurtured countless creative souls. Among them is Michael Ellison, a contemporary artist whose work weaves together the ethereal qualities of dreams, the raw beauty of the landscape, and a touch of otherworldly magic. Ellison’s studio, tucked away on a quiet road just outside Taos proper, feels like stepping into a living dreamscape. Canvases lean against walls, vibrant with swirling colors that seem to pulse with life.

Come visit Chimayo Trading in Ranchos de Taos, NM or online at chimayotrading.com to see our entire collection of Michael Ellison’s magical dreamscapes, including New Arrivals from Ellison’s studio.

“Weather, Or Not”
Acrylic on canvas, 2025
30″ x 24″
$1980

Originally from northeastern Oklahoma, Ellison settled in Taos about 7 years ago after studying the history of the Taos Society of Artists, feeling a particular affinity for Ernest Blumenschein and drawn to the region’s dramatic landscape, artistic heritage, and rugged individualism.

“Cloudbreak (Monsoon Season)”
Acrylic on canvas, 2022
22″ x 28″
$1980

Ellison earned a BAS in Journalism/Advertising from Oklahoma State University and an MA in Painting from the University of Tulsa. Ellison’s early career in Tulsa involved work as an advertising copywriter, picture framer, and muralist that included a mural for Tulsa’s German-American Society.

“Canyon Tower”
Acrylic on board, 2025
12″ x 9”
$950

He has also done illustration work, such as for Mark Kehl’s Scary Sea Stories, Vol. 2 and contributions to The Instrumentalist magazine (nominated for a 1989 National Educational Press Association Award).

“Half Moon & Aspen”
Acrylic on board, 2025
14″ x 11”
$950

What sets Ellison’s work apart is his unique dreamscape style, the result is art that feels both timeless and futuristic as if visions from another dimension have been captured on canvas. Working primarily in watercolor, acrylic, and oils, his style is direct and expressive, often featuring muted, earthy colors and a strong compositional sense.

“Scattered Thoughts”
Watercolor, 2023
14″ x 11”
$850

An active member of the Taos Watercolor Society, Ellison paints entirely from memory, dreams, and imagination, never using photos or painting en plein air. Subjects often draw from his life experiences (e.g., ranch life, machinery like tractors viewed from unusual angles) blended with the New Mexico landscape.

“Haze Behind The Farmhouse”
Acrylic on canvas, 2025
16″ x 20″
$950

We describe his works as “mildly autobiographical dreamscapes” that invite viewers into his inner world, combining observation of the land with narrative or emotional depth.

“Ghost Ranch”
Acrylic on canvas, 2024
22″ x 28″
$2200

Common motifs include canyons, rock formations, farmhouses, aspens, monsoon weather, and Taos-area scenes, all reimagined in neon hues, and surreal desert scenes where time itself appears to bend. Taos definitely has this energy, something ancient and alive that finds its way into every brushstroke.

“Red Rock Canyon”
Watercolor, 2024
20″ x 34″
$1250

Visitors to Taos and locals alike can find Ellison’s work at Chimayo Trading Del Norte. Those who encounter it frequently leave with more than just a visual memory as if the dreamscape has left a trace of its enchantment on their waking lives.

“Cactus Garden”
Watercolor, 2024
12″ x 13″
$750

In a world that often feels increasingly disconnected from wonder, Michael Ellison’s paintings serve as gentle reminders that magic still exists, especially here in the high desert light of Taos.

“Down The Canyon”
Acrylic on canvas, 2024
29.5″ x 23.5″
$2500

“Backyards”
Watercolor, 2023
11″ x 15″
$1250

“Air” by Michael Ellison
Watercolor, 2023
16.25″ x 23″
$900

If you have enjoyed our newsletters and learning about the artists and artwork we represent, or if you’ve had a good experience visiting our gallery, please take a moment to let us know by leaving a review using the links below.

Come to the gallery to see where History Meets Art in Taos..

#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

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Contact us for the evaluation and resale of your collectible art.
We’re interested in locating relevant collections and original New Mexico artwork for purchase. We buy historic and contemporary relevant paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, weavings and more.

Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

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