John is a past President of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and in October 2019 was admitted a Full Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists.

After graduating from the Nottingham College of Art, John has always continued to draw believing that drawing formed not only the basis but also the most important element of his future work.

He ended a long career in graphics, printing, photography, and design management, returning to his first love, painting. Initially images of Cornwall, particularly the mining landscape of West Penwith. During this time he worked extensively with the National Trust, also working on underground mining imagery in West Cornwall. For the last fifteen years John has become increasingly drawn to sea, sail and ships. He is inspired by classic yachts and sailing barges also encompassing craft of all shapes and sizes.

If they are on the sea they can be inspirational. Working from his own photographic imagery is a vital part of John’s creative process. Living and painting in Warwickshire, about as far from the sea in England as you can get photographic reference material is essential. Structure, texture and content determine his choice of media. John works in oils, acrylics, watercolour, pastels and inks .

In addition to his paintings and drawings, John has produced a large range of mixed media linocuts on marine subjects. John always tries to communicate his own personal impressions of light, atmosphere and weather when painting a specific event.