She holds an MFA in book arts from the University of Alabama and produces handmade books under the imprint Crooked Letter Press. The aim of the work produced by Crooked Letter Press is the synthesis of images and words in the form of letterpress printed handmade books and printed matter. Ellen has been a book artist for eleven years and a professional graphic designer for sixteen years at such places as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Detroit Institute of Arts. She has taught letterpress printing at the University of Alabama, graphic design at Mississippi State University and Wayne State University, and workshops at multiple venues across the USA. Website at www.crookedletterpress.com