July 2, 2009
By Karen McEnany-Phillips
Observer Staff
Winter Park designer Ellie Saylor has turned her love of animals and art into a family business, creating custom T-shirts for children.
A whimsical green gator surrounded by blue water and sky adorns her first shirts underlined by "A is for Alligator". Monkey and Elephant drawings are ready for production.
By the way, Ellie starts first grade at English Estates Elementary in August. 
"Drawing is just fun," Ellie said. "I drew the alligator in art class."
Ellie's mother, Retse Saylor, said her daughter has been coloring since age 1.
"She could identify logos at such an early age," she said. "Drawing is her favorite thing. Basically all you need to give her is paper and markers and she's happy."
Talent seems to run in the family, as Ellie's parents are both graphic designers. Retse has more than 10 years of design experience in Orlando and graduated with honors from Auburn University.
"Ellie has her baby dolls but her birthday presents are usually art supplies," Scott Saylor, Ellie's father, said.
Ellie said she is always thinking about things to draw, as she lugs around her round plastic container packed with markers. "Pink and purple are my favorites."
Retse comments as a mother and a professional: "Ellie does the best when she uses her imagination and makes it up herself. When she decides what she wants to draw it's always better."
Ellie's 4-year old brother, Gray, helped color the Monkey design, but according to his mother he prefers cars and action figures.
The Saylor kids enjoy a creative play area with a wood drawing table for Ellie, space for Gray to play with cars and puzzles and a wall cubbie that holds toys and supplies. Ellie and Gray's art is clipped along the walls, but because there is limited space, when a new project goes up, another comes down.
The Saylors have lived in Winter Park for five years and support art and design in the community. "We want to teach Ellie to give back, so $1 from each T-shirt sale will go to The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools. We hope this will help keep art in our schools."
Donations to the foundation support programs such as scholarships, classroom grants, recognition and rewards for students and teachers.
Ellie says her friends think it is "cool" that she designs T-shirts. They're not alone.
Winter Park mother Jessica Lucyshyn purchased three alligator shirts for her younger children.
"The kids love the fact that a kid drew the picture on them," Lucyshyn said. "My kids are 7 months, 2 and 5 years and they like wearing shirts that match. I love that part of the proceeds go toward funding art in Seminole County schools."
What letters are next? The Saylors are working on B and C.
"We have a special request for Car, so we might do a C animal later," Retse said.
Retse watches the Saylor artistic legacy continue through Ellie and her markers. "I see myself all over again. All I ever wanted to do was draw. I can't imagine doing anything else."
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T-shirt art
View shirts and art online at http://retsedesigns.storenvy.com/products
T-shirts sizes 6 months to six years $14.95
For more information on The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools go to
http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/foundation or call 407-320-0196
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