John Morrison of Kittery, Maine developed a lifelong interest in boats and sailing as a youngster when he and his family sailed on the lower reaches of the Hudson River in southern New York State. Following a career in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to his home on the seacoast in Kittery with his wife Vivian and son James to devote his time to marine painting.

His representational oil paintings feature the Maine coastline as the backdrop for images of the people and boats that have utilized these waters from the 19th century to the present. Largely self taught, he has studied with several prominent artists, the most notable of whom is Don Demers.