Clayton Explores

Clayton MacKinnon’s works are inspired from his experiences in the wilderness, blending art and adventure.

​

Clayton works in a variety of mediums including, photography, printmaking, acrylic and oil. Often Clayton will photograph and sketch during his adventures and later transfer the experience on to canvas. He prefers to work on large scale canvas, to surround the viewer with the works in hopes to portray the feelings and scenery of a location.

​

“When I paint I want a ‘wow factor’ I want people to come up to my work and feel uplifted – inspired and simply awestruck.”



Clayton grew up in a small country town of Merrickville, Ontario where his love for the outdoors began. Throughout his childhood years Clayton was often found rummaging through the backwoods, building trails and forts.



“I remember building the trails and creating bridges over marshes and making the trail as smooth as possible. Every day I had off was spent in the front bush cleaning it out and grooming it down.”

​

After graduating from North Grenville District High School Clayton enrolled at St. Lawrence College Brockville to study Fine Arts. At St Lawrence Clayton joined the cross country team and found a new love for running. Soon he began to use trail running as a method of finding inspiration. He would travel to forests and would run through the trails bringing along a camera and small sketchbook. Often he would spend summer weekends road tripping to new places across Ontario and Quebec – one of his most fond memories being Mont Cayamant, Quebec.

​

“I spent the day hiking and trail running – I ran through trails which had been disused for months and the adrenaline rush of powering through the forest dodging down trees and climbing up mountains over rocks – there is no high quite like it. In addition to the rush of running through the woods I will never forget the view that awaited me atop of the mountain. Looking for miles and miles I could see mountains like Mont Ste. Marie and distant lakes.”

​

Now Clayton is finishing his diploma program at St Lawrence college and plans to chase adventure alongside art. He will be travelling to Africa in July and plans to pursue more education in the field of art and adventure in the future.