Born in 1969 in London to Spanish and Irish Parents Johnny drew from an early age, not being particularly gifted academically or on the sports field he stuck to the one thing he was good at.
Leaving home at 19 he went back to his fathers hometown of Belfast where he graduated with an honours degree in fine art. Not able to make enough money from painting he worked as a Care Assistant in nursing homes while painting in the evening.



Moving to Derry he continued working with the elderly and clients with learning disabilities while having a number of exhibitions. Permanent jobs being scarce at that time he moved back to England and gained a diploma in nursing while still working on many commissions and exhibitions. While living in Middlesex he met his wife Lisa, a Donegal girl who eventually dragged him back to Ireland. Working as a nurse he continued with commissions and exhibitions in the evening while also becoming a father to two beautiful children, Fionn and Anna.

As commissioned work increased Johnny reduced his nursing hours before eventually deciding enough was enough and left his nursing career. Although risky leaving a regular paid job with pension he has never looked back. He took apprentice work in a frame shop and gallery learning the business before opening his own in the Donegal Craft Village. A devoted family man you will find him 6 days a week in his gallery doing what he loves, although he always finds time to drum with his band; music being his other passion, as he puts it himself 'What a life'.