1937 –
Living in different locales, gave John a love of travel and a chance to observe nature in all its variety. This, along with seeing the work of the great illustrators at the end of the illustration era, were the early steps to a lifetime in art. After high school he was accepted by the prestigious Art Center School in Los Angeles. There he received the foundations in design and painting necessary for a professional artist. After military obligations, he enjoyed a career in magazine art direction and freelance illustrations for philatelic first day covers of new stamp issues.
Winning first place in the National Forest Service Centennial stamp competition was a life-changing event, making possible the first of six trips to Africa. Those trips opened up a spectacular array of subjects, leading to a new approach in his art. From a long time use of watercolors, he moved into oils, as he felt they were better suited to the effects he wanted to achieve.