John was born in Tasmania and moved to Sydney in the late 1960s, beginning a career in business management. Art had always been an interest, but it wasn’t until he settled on the Gold Coast in 1988 and stepped away from full-time work a few years later that painting became his main focus. He was especially drawn to miniature art, which has remained central to his practice.

In 1994 he became a member of the Australian Society of Miniature Art and later served three years as its president. Since then, he has been active in many art societies and continues to show his work widely. His record includes two solo shows, two joint exhibitions, and many prizes in competition. Over the years his paintings have appeared in more than 120 exhibitions, both across Australia and overseas