Born in Windsor, he was raised in Buckinghamshire. John initially trained and worked as a draughtsman in electrical engineering before becoming a full time artist in 2003. Although mainly self-taught, he was awarded the NEAC drawing scholarship in 2012 and he attributed the subsequent development of his work to the influence of fellow members of the New English Art Club. He was elected a full member in 2015. He also exhibits at the Society of Wildlife Artists where he is an elected member and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition where he has been awarded the Small Painting Prize. He has exhibited at the Lynn Painter Stainers Prize and the Discerning Eye.