Meet the Artist
Clayt J. Lennox is an artist based near the scenic Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, where he draws inspiration for his vivid acrylic paintings and bronze sculptures. With over 30 years of experience in painting and sculpting, Clayt is passionate about creating art that isn’t just visually captivating but also a valuable investment for collectors. His focus is to continually refine his craft while evolving his personal brand to enhance the value and appeal of his work, ensuring that each piece is not only a representation of artistic expression but also a strategic addition to any collection.
Northern Beginnings
I was born in Winnipeg, Canada—a city as famous for its bone-chilling winters as it is for its sprawling prairies and endless skies. My dad, a good-natured traveling forklift salesman, often brought me (and occasionally a sibling or two) along on his business trips during school breaks. My mom, needing a bit of peace and quiet, was always more than happy to foist us onto my dad’s itinerary. While he focused on forklifts, I was glued to the car window, scanning the boreal forests of eastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario for wildlife—an eagle soaring overhead or, if I was really lucky, a bear.
Occasionally, he’d pull over to humor my curiosity, and we’d stop at scenic vistas or clamber up rocky outcrops to see what lay beyond. These impromptu adventures often revealed breathtaking views that sparked my imagination and left a lasting impression. It was during those long drives and roadside explorations that my fascination with nature truly began to take root.
Back home, I was the kid everyone knew as “pretty good at drawing.” I spent countless hours sketching NHL team logos, NHL goalies (I loved detailing their equipment), and even the occasional insulting caricature of someone who had recently offended me. 🙂 I gifted my creations to friends, who probably appreciated them more for the novelty than the artistry. Still, those early drawings gave me a sense of identity and planted the seed for a lifelong love of creating.
Musical Interlude
As a teenager, a shift in my father’s business territory brought our family to Regina, Saskatchewan, where my creative focus shifted from drawing to music. I threw myself into mastering the guitar, piano, and drums, channeling the raw energy of Led Zeppelin and the soulful brilliance of blues greats like B.B. King. My drum solos were particularly inspired (though I suspect our neighbors didn’t share my enthusiasm). Music became my creative outlet, teaching me the discipline of practice and the thrill of making a hell of a lot of noise.
Sculpting a Path
In my late teens, after graduating, I moved back to Winnipeg and embarked on a brief and utterly uninspiring stint as a commercial door serviceman through a family connection—an experience I’d rather not relive. It left me searching for a more creative challenge. That’s when a chance encounter with an old friend changed everything. He owned a garden statuary business and was hiring sculptors to create original designs for concrete ornaments.
I’ll admit, I was initially drawn to the idea for one reason: the potential earnings. The rates he was paying his artists were enough to make me dive headfirst into sculpting. Over the next decade, I dedicated myself to mastering this craft, creating original pieces for the garden statuary industry, public monuments, and later, landscape paintings that were reproduced for the home décor market.
Creative Evolution
The liquidation of a major sculpting client due to economic pressures and offshore competition forced me to rethink my career. Always eager for a challenge, I shifted gears, diving into the fast emerging world of computer graphics and commercial marketing. Over the next 20 years, I built a successful advertising agency, np2 (click here to visit my website) combining photography, videography, and storytelling to help businesses and entrepreneurs bring their visions to life and importantly, increase their bottom lines.
Return to Roots
Tragedy struck with the loss of my brother, mother, and father within three short years, profoundly affecting my outlook on life. These losses, combined with the frenetic pace of the advertising world, rekindled a yearning for a simpler, more fulfilling life. Yearning for tranquility and to be closer to my family, I returned to fine art, focusing on painting and sculpting wildlife—a tribute to the inspirations of my youth and the works of artists like Bob Kuhn, Frederic Remington, and Kent Ullberg.
Today
Today, my family is at the heart of everything I do. My wife and daughters are not only my greatest joys but also my biggest supporters. Together, we’ve built a creative life where work and family blend seamlessly. My wife runs her own successful art print business, and we often collaborate on projects, making our art businesses a true family affair.
When we’re not immersed in our creative endeavors, you’ll find us making the most of life’s adventures. Weekends and holidays are precious—whether we’re snowboarding in North Carolina, exploring the nearby Smoky Mountains, taking a short trip to Key Biscayne, or embarking on an extended journey to Manitoba for some moose watching. These moments together, filled with laughter, exploration, and respect, form the foundation of everything I create.
In my day-to-day life, I’m committed to continually improving my craft, driven by a passion for nature and the stories it tells. Each piece of art I create is not only a reflection of my journey but also a testament to the love, support, and inspiration I draw from my family. For us, art isn’t just about creating—it’s about celebrating life, together.
Through the Years
1998: Humane Society Donor Awards Commission
Created a series of bronze cat and dog sculptures as donor awards, recognizing generous contributions to animal welfare.
2000: Polar Bear and Cub Sculpture, Winnipeg
Commissioned to create a life-sized cast concrete statue of a polar bear and her cub, this private project celebrated the iconic wildlife of Canada. The sculpture became a striking centerpiece, blending artistry and a profound respect for nature.
2001: Classical Fountain at 529 Wellington Restaurant, Winnipeg
Collaborated with a prestigious landscape architect to design a lion-head fountain surrounded by copper tiles. This striking feature enhanced the ambiance of one of Winnipeg’s most celebrated steakhouses.
2005: Restoration of Downtown Lion Head Monument, Winnipeg
Resculpted and cast in bronze, this restoration project revitalized a historic landmark, preserving its cultural and artistic significance for future generations.
2007: “Life Paramedic/Firefighter” Monument in Winnipeg
Commissioned by the City of Winnipeg, this monument honors the courage and dedication of paramedics and firefighters, commemorating their service and sacrifice.
2008: Weston Foods Commission
Produced a large painting depicting a Wonder Bread truck driver shaking hands with a satisfied customer. Reproductions were gifted to retiring drivers as a token of appreciation for their service.
2009: “Firefighters of the North” Monument in Thompson, Manitoba
This monumental sculpture honors the bravery of northern firefighters, featuring five distinct figures to celebrate their dedication and resilience.
2010: Silver Bridge Corporation Private Commission
Created a series of Canadian landscape paintings that were sold as prints to raise funds for charitable causes, blending artistry with philanthropy.
2012: Deer Monument for Valley Crete Corporation
Designed a deer sculpture reproduced in concrete and aluminum, distributed widely across North America and showcasing the artist’s talent for wildlife art.
2024: “Cloud Puffs” Featured on Reba McEntire’s “Happy’s Place”
The acrylic painting “Cloud Puffs” was selected by the set director for the show Happy’s Place, showcasing the artist’s work in a national spotlight.
Representation
1stDibs
300 Park Avenue South, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10010
1 (877) 721-3427
www.1stdibs.com
Artmajeur
494 rue Léon Blum, 34000 Montpellier
RCS Montpellier, France
+33 095 095 9966
www.artmajeur.com
The District Gallery
5113 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
1 (865) 200-4452
www.thedistrictgallery.com
Singulart
25 Rue Du Petur Musc 75004
PAaris 4, Ile De France
+3 317 644 0642
www.singulart.com
Saatchi Art
1655 26th Street
Santa Monica, California.
1 (888) 908-3886
www.saatchiart.com
Turning Art
71 Commercial Street
Suite 226
Boston, MA 02109
1(800) 351-8607
www.turningart.com
