Elliott Bay™

With highly unique backgrounds in fine art, architecture and broad based product design, Ian Challis and David Roos have gained widespread recognition throughout the stationery, home décor, consumer products and gift manufacturing industries. Their reputation as astoundingly prolific best-selling artists who are constantly a few steps ahead of “the next big trend” is unprecedented among insiders in the art licensing world. And products featuring their imagery are available in thousands of national and international retail venues ranging from home décor to gift to craft and stationery retailers.

Working from their studio on Seattle’s famous Capitol Hill, the two artists synthesize a unique visual fusion of cutting edge flair, traditional appeal, natural beauty, bold color and serene lighting to create artwork with a spirit that touches the heart and delights the eye.

Encouraged by friends in 1988, Ian and David began to market their one-of-a-kind greeting cards to local Seattle stores. As such, Running Rhino’s first product line consisted of hand-stamped cards crafted with the artists’ own personally-carved rubber stamps. Within a year, early Challis & Roos™ designs were available in card boutiques, museum shops, and bookstores from California to the United Kingdom.

In establishing Running Rhino & Co. and growing it to a point of industry leadership, the artists unleashed a seemingly bottomless well of innovation and creativity that has fueled unprecedented sales success and carved out many notable, market-savvy trends. Ian and David’s unique experience as manufacturers, product designers, and enormously talented artists gives them invaluable insight into the challenges, needs and machinations required to transform exciting concepts into practical, highly marketable end-products.

Ian and David never cease to amaze with the volume and diversity of artwork they create. A frequent question asked of them is, “Are you sure there are only two artists creating all of these designs?”

The answer, of course, is “yes,” and the results are tangible. New looks continue to attract levels of popularity and loyalty that few licensed artists ever achieve.

Visit the Elliott Bay™ web site at www.challisandroos.com