Born in Falkirk, John McClenaghen grew up with deep connections to the Scottish Landscape as the grandson of a ploughman and nephew to both a shepherd and a grieve. His early years were partly spent on farms around Stirlingshire and later the East Lothian coast, where the land and the narrow dunes between field and sea became an enduring theme in his work.

 John's approach to landscape painting has been profoundly influenced by his family's farming background. As a child, he experienced moving between the contrasting worlds of town life and his relatives' farms, which heightened his perception of both environments. This unique perspective remained with him into adulthood, informing how he interprets the Scottish landscape in his work.

 John is interested in painting's capacity to relate experience by drawing parallels between the action of light and weather upon his subjects and the action of colour and mark upon the canvas. He approaches the landscape not as a static scene but as a living, changing entity, using an extensive range of implements and techniques to keep pace with nature's dynamism.

 John studied at the Glasgow School of Art and the universities of Huddersfield, Liverpool, and Chester. He balanced his artistic practice with teaching at various UK art schools, before becoming a full-time artist in 2025.