Born to Cornish parents in 1964, John Brenton grew up in the china clay valley of Nanpean near St Austell. He was educated in Cornwall and then took an honours degree in creative arts from Alsager College - now part of Manchester University.

As a full-time artist who prefers to paint in oils from life, John Brenton meets the challenge of painting the awe-inspiring beauty of the Cornish coastline and English countryside.  Sea, shore, landscape, sky - and how the light plays its magic – these provide inspiration for many painters, but John tries for that extra dimension, “the given moment”. He begins his work at the spot that fires his interest and works quickly to capture as much as is fleetingly possible. After more work in his studio he will return to that particular place to make the important final touches.