Maxon attended San Jose State University, and apprenticed for Sam Richardson and John Battenberg, primarily learning sculpture techniques. These artists, the school of painting, and the San Francisco Bay area during the late 60s and early 70s were strong influences to his work. With Roy DeForest, William T. Wiley, and Wayne Thiebaud in graduate school at the University of California, Davis, John explored many variations of techniques and styles. In the early 80s, he began to show his work in a wider format. Capturing the eye of many well known corporate and private collectors, his abstract landscapes conveyed a sense of spirit, offering a unique perspective on the patterns and contours of the Earth. His manner is free-flowing, and this is reflected in his paintings.
The variation of composition in his works demonstrates his ability to handle all forms of medium. ‘Paint the struggle. Paint the joy. Above all, paint the Truth.’ John strives to represent these human inevitabilities through his art. It is his desire to attempt to paint the great beauty that is around us always and to share his own personal joy in the expression of color. The themes of landscapes, and people and animals within the landscape are simply an homage, and effort to create an awareness of the process that is involved in the joy of living.