John was interested in art from a very early age. He has art teaching qualifications from St Paul's College, Cheltenham and Bournemouth and Poole Art Colleges. On retirement John was the Head of the Art Department at one of England's largest comprehensive schools.

An ex-member of the British Society of Painters in Oils, Pastels and Acrylics, former Chairman of both Cheltenham Art Club and Yorkshire Watercolour Society, he was awarded the Silver Medel of the Paris Salon in 1966. He is an Associate Member of the Societe des Artistes Francais. He also won First Prize in the International Competition of Professional Artists in 1999.

John has work in collections in both the UK and abroad and has entries in La Revue Moderne des Arts et de la Vie Sept 1963, Repertorium Artis 1969 and Who's Who in Art 2004.

John has been a courtroom artist for YTV and various newspapers since 1992.

He runs popular workshops, demonstrations and talks to Art Groups and Societies. His talk "My Life as a Courtroom Artist" includes a slide show and a pastel demonstration.