Tribute to Ellis Echevarria
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Ellis Echevarria was a talented artist and the designer behind the Red Porch logo. His creative eye and dedication to truth and culture helped shape the foundation of our brand.
More than just an artist, Ellis was part of the original Red Porch crew. He was one of the day-ones—someone who stood on that porch, talked life, laughed, debated, and built bonds with the people who would later turn that energy into something real. The Red Porch wasn’t just a name to him—it was home.
A longtime resident of Hartford, Ellis left his mark on the city through his work—both in visual art and community-centered design. His public art installations, including a large-scale mosaic commissioned by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, reflected his passion for uniting people through creativity.
Beyond visual art, Ellis was instrumental in the development of the Heaven or Hell clothing brand, founded by the late Anthony Griffin. Heaven or Hell was more than fashion—it was a cultural statement. Ellis helped open that door, and his influence spread through every connection he made. My brother worked closely with Anthony Griffin for years, helping grow the brand’s presence in cities all across the US.
Shortly before his passing, Ellis and I spoke on the phone. That conversation reminded me of how deeply he believed in the power of creative work to move people. One thing he said during that call stays with me:
"We gotta inspire them."
That message lives on in the work we continue to do at Red Porch.
In Memory of Ellis Echevarria
Creator of the Red Porch logo
Original Red Porch day-one
Artist. Collaborator. Visionary.
"We gotta inspire them."