Originally from Westchester County, New York, John started his career after attending college at Faimont State College in West Virginia. His teacher, Master Potter D. Miezenkowski stressed fine forms and accepted nothing else. After graduating, John and his wife Camille moved to Florida in 1978. John continued to work with stoneware, but felt it was too repetitious, he did not enjoy the production work. He would rather be more creative in form and color. John then changed clay bodies to a white earthenware and under glazes. He also added slab building to his technique.