Meet the Artist
With a career in marketing strategy and visual design, Clayt J. Lennox is a lifelong artist who captures the enduring spirit of the North American wild. From his studio near the Great Smoky Mountains, he is a multidisciplinary artist exploring subjects in both paint and the timeless medium of bronze. His work, born from direct experience with subjects like the region’s black bears, tells authentic stories in metal and on canvas. He creates compelling works for collectors who value technical mastery and a unique, strategic vision rooted in the narratives of the natural world.
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.
“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.
“A tribute to the inspirations of my youth and the works of artists like Bob Kuhn, Frederic Remington, and Rembrandt Bugatti.”
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 landscapes and animals, and sculpting wildlife—a tribute to the inspirations of my youth and the works of artists like Bob Kuhn, Frederic Remington, and Rembrandt Bugatti.
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
Commissioned to design and sculpt a deer monument. The work was subsequently reproduced in concrete and aluminum for projects across North America, demonstrating a capacity for creating impactful wildlife designs for large-scale distribution.
2012–2023: Sabbatical and Focus on Commercial Artistry
The Artist Dedicated this period to building his advertising agency, applying his creative and strategic talents to the world of commercial art and visual design. This time was focused on mastering storytelling for national clients, an experience that would later profoundly inform his return to fine art.
2024: “Cloud Puffs” Featured on Reba McEntire’s “Happy’s Place”
Back into fine art! 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.
Fresh Updates from the Studio
