Biography

Born 1939 in Oxford, North Carolina; lives in Allison Park, Pennsylvania

During his childhood in North Carolina, Buxton was constantly drawing and was encouraged by his parents. He never considered any other career other than that of producing artwork and paintings. This determination led to a degree in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design of Pasadena, California. Afterward, followed a thirty-one-year career as a successful and respected illustrator, receiving many awards and earning honorable recognition along the way. Among his most influential clients was the National Geographic Society. Its staff’s constant insistence on accuracy and double-checking everything produced struck a chord with John. He realized that here was artwork worthy of standing the test of time, and worth that extra effort to produce it.

In the early 1990s, his life and career changed from doing illustrations to researching the history that had shaped the very ground on which he now lives…western Pennsylvania. This new obsession led to total involvement in developing paintings that told an accurate story of the 18th-century Eastern Woodland Frontier: the story of a developing young nation of European settlers in conflict with many previously established Native Nations. Now, after over thirty years of earning respect and numerous awards, his paintings are used to teach history, to better explain the written word of 18th-century lore, and many of his paintings or reproductions adorn the walls of various museums and historical sites.

Awards
2025- Art Renewal Center International Salon, 2nd Overall in Landscape
2025- Oil Painters of America Fall Online Show, 1st Overall
2025- Boldbrush- 1st Overall
2025- NOAPS Fall Online Show, Award of Excellence
2025- Plein Air Salon Competition, 1st Place Overall
2024- Plein Air Salon Competition, Best Western
2023- Plein Air Salon Competition, First Place Overall, Best Western, Honorable mention: Water
2022- NOAPS Associates Online Show, Award of Excellence
2022- Oil Painters of America- Eastern Regional Show, Most Original
2022- Plein Air Salon Competition- First Place Overall,

Memberships
Oil Painters of America, Signature
National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society, Signature
Art Renewal Center, Living Master
Portrait Society of America
American Impressionist Society
FASO, Sponsored artist

Past Exhibitions
Birds in Art
Masters of the American West Show, The Autry Museum
Quest for the West Show, Eiteljorg Museum
Bosque Art Classic Show, Texas

Gallery Representation
Lord Nelson’s Gallery, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania