Jim Clayton, a native of Orlando Florida where he grew up in a single parent household. As a young man in High School, he was recognized by his teachers to have a creative side along with his athleticism. It was not until several years after High School around 1975 that he took an interest in photography. His girlfriend at the time bought him a 35 mm camera and telling him (you take good pictures and need a good camera). After High School he worked in construction and had several part time jobs while attending Valencia Community College where he was awarded a AA degree in art. He continued to work for a couple more years in construction. He then, in search of further studies he applied and was excepted into the fine arts program at the University of Central Florida with concentration in photography, where he was awarded a BA degree. After receiving his BA degree, he decided he wanted further studies in photography and applied to the BFA program and was excepted. In 1978 he was awarded his BFA degree in photography. After graduation he married and pursued a career in photography. He quickly found out that there was no money for a unknown fine art photographer and pursued commercial photography and found himself photographing for for a wide and diverse clientele. Still not earning enough money, he started a creative construction company designing and producing creative displays, trade show exhibits and visual art for store interiors. He also got involved with the movie industry and worked on several motion pictures as construction coordinator and assistant art director. He taught beginner and advanced photography for three years as part of the continuning education program at Valencia Community College in Orlando. He was always involved in art which was somewhat fulfilling. After time, he found himself drawn away from his passion for fine art photography and that excitement of his personal visions captured through the lens of his camera. He began showing his personal work at side walk art shows all over the South East. He won several awards at these shows and many times he was offered to show his work in several galleries. After receiving acknowledgment and awards for his photography he began showing his work all over. He stated once (1 can’t believe it – people are actually buying my work). It is and always has been his hope that viewers of his work can see what he sees, but art is subjective and it is what it is too you.
Now retired, he can concentrate on his art. You don’t retire form art, it is a life long commitment as all artists know. He hunts with his camera in search of the truth about himself and to unravel the mysteries of life, art, and the world we live in.