They are taken a lot further in concept and execution through the trust his clients give him to show them aspects of themselves they might not have been fully aware of.

His portraits are highly personalised images, representing both literal and emotional interpretations to which his subjects can respond and recognise the truth of the interpretation.

He achieves this through active participation with his clients. These "give-and-take" sessions enable John to paint portraits which place his subjects in symbolic and individually meaningful settings. See A Family Portrait.