Albemarle Neighbor: Painter Clayton's works have 'impressionistic feel'

Local painter Leanne Perry Clayton has always loved making art. But her first canvases were automobiles. Automobile interiors, actually.

Born and raised in Chowan County, Clayton earned a bachelor’s degree in textile technology with a concentration in textile design from N.C. State University in 1992. After college, she worked for Burlington Industries as a technical fabric designer.

She then worked with Collins & Aikman as a fabric designer and colorist for the automotive industry before moving to Southern California, where she was an international design manager and opened a design office for Collins & Aikman.

After 10 years in the automotive industry designing automotive fabrics, Clayton moved back to North Carolina with her husband and their two children. She has lived in Bertie County for the past 21 years.

Clayton began painting more than 25 years ago. Some of her works, which she puts on canvas with acrylic paint, feature colorful hues in abstract designs. Many others are her impressionist takes on the coastal landscapes she’s either seen nearby or visited in her travels. She also likes to paint sea life; one of her current favorite pieces features oysters.

“Everything I do has an impressionistic feel,” Clayton said.

Clayton used to teach art classes for both adults and children when she had a studio in Edenton. Now she paints commissioned pieces out of her home by the Chowan River.

“I am working on one or two pieces all the time,” she said.

Clayton has participated in the First Friday ArtWalks in Elizabeth City and her work is on display at Harbor Centre in Elizabeth City and the Chowan Arts Council in Edenton.

Her art was also recently featured at one of the venues during Arts of the Albemarle’s recent Art Tour of Homes in Elizabeth City.

In addition to working as an artist, Clayton also works part time in her family’s agricultural business, C.A. Perry & Son, Inc.

Clayton posts photographs of her artwork on Instagram and her Water’s Edge Art Facebook page. To find out more about her work, email Clayton at leannepclayton@gmail.com.