Afew years ago The Laurel visited painterZach Claxton’s studio and discoveredhis life/work space is not just a place forpaints, brushes, and canvases.It contains all the tools that his busy life requires,for Zach is the writer and treasurer for theHighlands-Cashiers Art League; a wannabe golfer;a retired banker; a mathematician; a frequentpresident of local charities and clubs; a devotedfamily man; an oil painter; an art sales virtuoso;and so much more.With all those skills, one might wonder how hecould possibly have time to paint.And, yes, that is a conundrum.When in painting mode though, there’s nothinghe’d rather be doing. It’s his devotion to publicservice and humankind that spreads him a bit thin.Still, he’s able to sneak a weekend or holiday intohis painting schedule. He hurls his energy intocreating vibrant seasonal vistas; a bear, its facebursting with chilling ferocity; an Appalachianarchitectural marvel; or a tribute to a belovedfamily pet in portraiture.Zach’s military and corporate years added up toseveral decades sandwiched in-between an earlylove for painting and a return to it in later life. Hisreturn was prompted by a visit to his daughter,Jennifer, in Seattle. She was experimenting withoils and invited him to join her. He did, and itevolved into a welcome painting addiction.Oils are his passion. Watercolor doesn’t have oil’srichness. Acrylics dry quickly and rob him ofthe oil’s creamy pigment and layering qualities.Bottom line, he loves the oil smell, feel, and overallresult. It’s no contest.For an accomplished painter, Zach refuses tocall himself an artist … a painter, maybe, butnot an artist. He never took a class. His skilldeveloped naturally over years of practice andself-instruction.He laughs and says, “As long as my work sells, I’llstick with the motto: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”To see more of Zach’s remarkable work, visitzachclaxtonart.com.
by Donna Rhodes
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