Born in Sydney in 1939. Attended art classes at the Royal Art Society on NSW. Teacher were Kenneth Green, Allan Hanson and Arthur Murch. Also private Teacher George Duncan and for many years studied Plein Air painting with master artist Leonard Long O.A.M.

Painting career started in 1973.

Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Art Competition 1974 - Second Prize
Three times Caltex Art Award; 1976, 1977, 1978
First Prize, Bega Art Society Fellowship 1982
Kiama Xouncil Commercial Garden Art Design Award 1986
Australian Navy 75 Years Anniversary National Seascape Art Competition 1987 - Purchase
The first artist ever invited to hold an exhibition at the Mitchell Library in Sydney, Australia; 1988 Bicentennial Year
A booklet of John Downton's Bicentennial Art Exhibition published in 1988
Japanese Cultural Award and Citation, 25^th Taiyo Art Award 1989
35^th Annual Pacific Cultural Exhibition, Special Citation for Outstanding Artist and 1^st Prize Trophy for Outstanding Painting, Japan - 1999
"Australian Artist" Magazine; special topic about John Downton's work - 1989, 1999, Nov, Dec 2002, Aug 2003, June 2004
One of John Downton's works reproduced in on an international Christmas card by Westpac Bank - 1990
NSW Parliament House card - 2000
Invited by Irish to hold a one-man exhibition in Dublin, having been chosen as Cultural City of Europe - 1991
Each year, John Downton has various exhibitions which are held in Sydney, Eden, Canberra and other cities within Australia
John's works have been reproduced on corporate calendars and have his paintings in their corporate collections around the world
Has been listed and works reproduced in Max Germaine and other publications
Accepted Member of the Australian Society of Marine Artists. Navy Artist, East Timor - 2000
Hon. Member, Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia - 2000
Awarded Fellowship of the Royal Art Society of NSW - 2000
Awarded the Australian Society of Marine Artist's President's Medal - 2004 and Fellowship of the A.S.M.A. - 2004