Clayton James

1918 - 2016

Clayton James

Noted Northwest

artist, dies at 98

Clayton Bernard James, noted painter and sculptor and an important figure in Northwest art history, died Sunday, October 2, 2016 in Burlington, WA, at the age of 98.

Clayton was born on February 6, 1918 in Belding, Eureka Township, MI to Albert Edward James and Anna Neva Sturgeon James. His siblings: Laurence, Walter and Frances preceded him. He attended Rhode Island School of Design, where he met painter Barbara Straker. They married in 1944. She preceded him in death in 2007 after 63 years of marriage.

A conscientious objector during World War II, Clayton spent several years in work camps on both coasts, including Camp Angel in Waldport, OR. The camp included a number of artists, writers and performers with whom Clayton and Barbara were to maintain friendships throughout their life together.

Clayton and Barbara were introduced to the Puget Sound area by artist Morris Graves. Graves, Richard Gilkey, Barbara and Clayton shared a farmhouse in La Conner as a getaway and that farmhouse became Clayton and Barbara's permanent home in 1953. Many friends and neighbors remember Clayton's daily treks to the studio across the street where he made famously beautiful, large vessels of clay and sculpture which earned him national and international praise. Later he turned his attention back to painting, his first medium, and spent many glorious days in the fields and mountains surrounding his beloved Skagit Valley. His vision helped us all see the unique power and beauty of our home. Clayton James' work is held in the collections of institutions and private collectors throughout the world. The Museum of Northwest Art exhibited a retrospective of his work in 2002.

Clayton continued to live in the beautiful home he and Barbara created from that farmhouse in La Conner well into his late nineties, continuing to walk to his studio daily with the assistance of friends and later caregivers. The generosity of a lifetime was returned to Clayton in a circle of many friends who provided him with assistance, meals and companionship as he made his way through the last years of his life. Many thanks to all these devoted friends, family and caregivers. He would want you to know he was blessed.

Clayton slipped away peacefully and with companionship, knowing he was loved and appreciated.

A memorial celebrating his life will be announced at a later time.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel Crematory Inc., of Anacortes & the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Clayton, please visit www.evanschapel.com and sign the online guest register.