John's early life took root in Columbus, Ohio, where the foundations of his creative pursuits were laid. However, in 1968, a major life shift occurred as he relocated to Juneau, Alaska, a move that would forever alter the trajectory of his artistic endeavors.
In Juneau, John's multifaceted talents flourished, as he not only honed his skills in graphic arts and photography but also delved into the realm of documentary filmmaking, producing a feature film in the late 1970s. This artistic exploration culminated in the creation of "Spirit of the Wind", later rechristened "Attla", which would go on to win the coveted Best Picture award at the 1979 US Film Festival, precursor to the esteemed Sundance Film Festival.
This remarkable achievement prompted John to relocate to Los Angeles for a brief period, followed by a move to Oregon, where he would spend the next fifteen years as a stalwart member of Will Vinton Studios. His tenure at the studio was marked by a rich tapestry of creative collaborations and a deepening understanding of the animation process.
Subsequent to his time in Oregon, John embarked on a brief stint as animation director on the acclaimed series "The Phantom Investigators" in San Francisco. However, his true calling lay in the Pacific Northwest, where he currently resides, dedicating his time to crafting short films and DVDs for personal fulfillment, while also sharing his expertise as an occasional instructor at the Oregon 3D school in Portland.