Biographical Information

GEORGE CLAXTON
American 1947-1995

Claxton was born January 30, 1947 in Nashua, New Hampshire. He graduated summa cum laude in painting Kent State University in 1973, and went to Italy for further studies. Upon returning to the States, he worked as a metallic sculptor for the Cleveland-Washington Mint. This is where he perfected his talent in sculpting bas relief. While in the Cleveland area he had the opportunity to enjoy his other passion, horses and spent a few years campaigning an Appaloosa Open Jumper gelding. This was also the time he met Barbara Klausner and they instantly became great friends with a deep appreciation for horses and art.

Years later Barbara had the opportunity to represent Claxton when her gallery opened in 1986 in Louisville Kentucky. Claxton by then had already made Kentucky his home for over 10 years, devoting his full efforts to equine art. Since then both his paintings and porcelain relief’s had created world-wide "Claxton collectors".

In the spring of 1993 Claxton returned to Italy for new inspiration, and the trip was successful. He totally began focusing all his attention to painting, creating the best figurative work of his career. Claxton’s life ended in Cleveland in 1994 with his family, an unfortunate early victim of AIDS. He is remembered by friends and true art lovers as an individual who totally gave his heart and soul to his life’s passion – art.

In the last years of career Claxton produced poetic paintings. He would paint “plaine aire” landscapes or cityscapes. Many times he would use local characters of the downtown Lexington area to sit for his paintings. This was the best work of his career. He worked in all types of medium, many times combining them. From oils on canvas to sketches on paper highlighted by pastel or watercolor, it all worked and was stamped with the very recognizable style of Claxton.

“We assume things are as we see them, and then there's George's interpretation”.