Bynum, NC – Clyde Jones, the self-taught folk artist whose handcrafted wooden “critters” and impromptu creative spirit helped put this small Haw River community on the cultural map, died this week at the age of 87. A towering figure in outsider art whose work delighted children and adults alike, Jones passed away surrounded by the critters and companions that defined his life’s work.
From his yard-filled wonderland of animal sculptures to his humble interactions with visitors from across the globe, Jones embodied the joy of creation. His legacy — whimsical, generous, and deeply rooted in community — will be remembered not just in Bynum but in museums, galleries, and the hearts of those who encountered his work.
A Chainsaw Artist Who Carved Smiles
For more than four decades, Clyde Jones used nothing more than a chainsaw, found wood, and his boundless imagination to transform stumps and logs into fantastical creatures — from towering giraffes to dancing penguins. His work, collectively known as “critters,” became landmarks in yards throughout Bynum and beyond, drawing visitors from across the country and around the world who left with stories and smiles to share.
Jones once said he didn’t make art for sale, but for joy — a philosophy that guided his life. “You can’t buy one, but I like it when people come and take a look,” he told visitors.
Critter sculptures created by Jones appeared in exhibitions at institutions such as the Smithsonian and the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, and his work traveled as far as Africa and China. Yet he remained rooted in Bynum, where his home became an open-air gallery known affectionately as “Critter Crossing.”
From Mill Worker to Folk Art Legend
Born on April Fool’s Day in 1938 or 1939 in Chatham County, Jones grew up near the land that would later inspire his artistic life. He worked for years in the local textile mill and later as a lumber cutter — an early connection to the wood that would become his medium.
A near-crippling logging accident in 1979, when a heavy log crushed his leg, might have ended his working life. Instead, during the long and painful recovery, Jones began experimenting with wood and found in art a new calling. His first critter, carved in 1982 from a piece of cedar, sparked a creative fire that would burn brightly for decades.
“Whatever my mind’s got on it, that’s what I’m gonna do,” Jones once reflected. “Welcome to my world with fish, whales, dolphins, butterflies, snakes, turtles, penguins, and all that.”
His handcrafted critters, sometimes towering ten feet tall and always brimming with character, became a signature of his artistic identity. Cedar was his wood of choice — durable, fragrant, and resistant to decay — giving each piece a lasting presence in neighbors’ yards or along the roadside.
Community and Creativity
Jones’ impact extended far beyond his own backyard. For more than 20 years, Chatham Arts Council celebrated his work with ClydeFest, an annual arts festival that invited children and families to create their own critters, paint murals, and experience the wonder that Jones engendered in others.
At North Chatham Elementary, former guidance counselor Betty Wilson recalls a visit by Jones when he guided students in building a sculpture together — each child hammering a nail into the piece they helped make. “Always remember: Deep down, each of you has something you can do to make other people happy,” he told the children.
His generosity extended to local nonprofits, schools, and individuals. Jones rarely sold his work — instead gifting pieces to those who needed joy, support, or inspiration. Even renowned ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov was politely refused when he once offered to buy a critter.
Jones’ presence transformed Bynum into a creative destination, drawing visitors intrigued by both his art and his personality. His yard, full of color and unexpected creatures, became a visual storybook of imagination.
A Local Icon, Revered Worldwide
Art historians and folk art aficionados often describe Jones as a visionary whose work embodies a unique fusion of naïve art and profound expression. His pieces appeared in books on visionary artists and were featured in galleries dedicated to outsider art.
“People respond because his art is happy, playful, joyful,” says Roger Manley, curator of the Gregg Museum of Art and Design at North Carolina State University. “Unlike pondering the remote bronze sculptures you find in some museums, you can see yourself making art like Clyde. He gives you hope that your own life can flower the same way, that you have the same potential.”
Yet for all his national and international acclaim, Jones remained deeply connected to the community that raised him. Residents often saw him riding through town on his purple-painted lawnmower, wood chips in his beard, ready with a greeting or a story.
Remembering Clyde
Across social media this week, neighbors, friends, and art lovers expressed sorrow at the news of Jones’ passing and gratitude for the happiness he inspired.
“Bynum lost a good one,” wrote a local resident on Instagram, reflecting the sentiment of many who knew him. “His art was pure joy — and so was he.”
A ribbon-cutting to celebrate the restored Clyde Jones mural, once scheduled for earlier this year, stands now as a testament to his enduring legacy in downtown Pittsboro. The mural, depicting a procession of his beloved critters, will remain a vibrant tribute to a man whose imagination knew no bounds.