Clarence Stringfield was born in Erin, Tennessee, in 1903. In 1926, he married Mary Emma Pack who passed 18 years later in 1944. Stringfield is known widely for his folk art carvings that captured his unique outlook on life through his imagination and observation. In 1934, Stringfield contracted tuberculosis while working for DuPont in Nashville, TN. It is during this time that he began to carve and continued to carve until his death in 1976.

Stringfield used softwoods, a pocketknife and some simple hand tools to craft his early creations. Later after working for Murray‚s Chair Company he developed a skill for using a spindle-carver to create many of his works in the latter portion of his life. For his colored carvings he would use bright colors and dyes including Mercurochrome and iodine, finishing most with lacquer or wax.

Stringfield focused on many different subjects ranging from wildlife, every-day figures, politicians, musicians including a large series of Grand Ole Opry portraits and, most notably, his "bathing beauty" series of female figure carvings in 1940's or 50's-styled swimwear and bathing suits. A "bathing beauty" along with a carving of Lady Bird Johnson, the former first lady, can be found in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Stringfield carvings have sold at Sotheby‚s Americana auctions as well as Slotin Folk Art auctions and are featured in many private and public collections.