Clayton Keyes

About

Clayton Keyes is an Artist/Educator living in Tulsa Oklahoma. Clayton earned his MFA from the University of Tulsa in 2011. Since then, he has taught in secondary and higher education; amongst which, he headed the Ceramics program at Westminster University for 8 years before moving back to Oklahoma. Clayton has shown nationally, demonstrated and given workshops at conferences, universities, high schools, and community art/craft programs across the US. For more information on Clayton, visit claytonkeyes.com.

Q&A

How did you start pet portraits?
I began sculpting pets as memorials for my own dog that passed and then for a friend. Pet portraiture is now something I do generally only in the classroom, teaching the process to others.

What's your favorite animal to paint/sculpt/photograph etc?
Most recently, I have been sculpting a life-size maned wolf, which is very similar to sculpting dogs. I really enjoy working on an armature and surmounting the difficulties that presents.

Do you have any pets? Are they an inspiration in your work?
I have two dogs; a boxer and an Anatolian mix. I use them for body references on occasion.

Any advice for artist getting into pet portrait work?
Take a class with me!

Do you take commissions?
Yes! Claytonkeyes.com “contact” page or instagram PM