"I want to express the strong spirit and independent attitude of the people who fish the waters off the shores of Nova Scotia. I find I am able to capture the character with carved scenes in a way I never could with paint or charcoal. I like to show history, as many older methods are now being replaced by better technology. Humor is used, as I find it a part of fishing life. Occasionally I deal with tragedy as so many families have lost members to the sea. I also deal with current issues that affect fishermen."

"I take my time in making lobster traps so that they are both to scale and realistic. The ones I make look as they would have in life, used and abused. This is also true of the model boats I make. Perfection is not my goal. Rugged, patched, and beat up were more likely to be true before lobster fishing became a modern industry."

Clifton's fisherman carvings are carved from wood, coated in gesso, and painted with artist's acrylics. A coat of acrylic wax followed by a coat of carnauba wax gives the final protection and ensures the figures require no maintenance other than dusting.

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