By Faith Callens

HUNTSVILLE— Huntsville Native Carlon Ellis is now expanding his artistic talent by not only painting shoes but pressing T-shirts.

Ellis is a 21-year-old entrepreneur who started his business called “Kickoff Creations” in June 2019 designing custom shoes for clients.

“As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been an artist,”Ellis said. I’ve always been able to draw but it wasn’t until around eighth grade that I kind of realized I had a talent or a gift in a sense.”

Ellis said he always gravitated to art and literature which lead to his idea of shoe customization but due to the pandemic in 2020, particular shoes were hard to come by.

Ellis said that’s when he knew he had to find a different way to pursue his passion and he chose T-shirts.

“I’ve just started pressing T-shirts last week,” said Ellis. It’s definitely a new thing. It’s nice and it’s fairly easy compared to me having to paint a shoe and a canvas. It’s much easier and not much excitement but a lot of the work, the people don’t see, that’s where the enjoyment comes from.”

Ellis plans to release his newest addition of T-shirts from his business to the public on Friday, February 18.

To know more about Ellis and his business, click here.

To view my recent TikTok about Ellis, click here.