John's formative years unfolded in Columbus, Ohio, a city that would later exercise a profound and lasting impact on the trajectory of his creative pursuits and artistic expressions. As the late 1960s drew near, John made the bold and courageous decision to relocate to Juneau, Alaska, a move that would ultimately prove to be a transformative and life-changing experience that would forever alter the course of his life. During his time in Juneau, John's artistic inclinations and talents flourished, as he established himself as a gifted and accomplished graphic artist, photographer, and documentarian. Furthermore, he began to explore the realm of documentary filmmaking, dedicating himself to the craft and ultimately producing a feature-length film in 1978-79, a testament to his passion, dedication, and artistic vision.
John's remarkable achievement ultimately reached its most impressive and outstanding point when his documentary, which would later undergo a name change to "Attla", achieved the highest and most prestigious honor of being named Best Picture at the 1979 US Film Festival, a notable event that would later undergo a significant transformation and rebranding to become the highly respected and renowned Sundance Film Festival.
As the culmination of his remarkable achievement, John embarked on a temporary relocation to the City of Angels, a move that would ultimately serve as a precursor to his momentous decision to settle in the breathtaking state of Oregon. For a period of fifteen years, John devoted himself to the pursuit of artistic mastery at the renowned Will Vinton Studios, a revered institution that has long been synonymous with creative ingenuity and artistic excellence.
John's professional journey underwent a concise yet impactful deviation as he took on the role of animation director on the highly acclaimed television series "The Phantom Investigators" in San Francisco. During his tenure on the show, John's creative vision and expertise played a pivotal role in shaping the program's enduring popularity, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike.
John, having completed his previous stint, made the journey back to his roots in Oregon, where he redirected his focus towards nurturing his creative passion for crafting captivating short films and DVDs.
John's multifaceted career trajectory has seen him embark on a parallel journey as an educator, where he has leveraged his vast reservoir of knowledge and expertise to guide and inspire the future animators of tomorrow.
