John Nelson was born in Scotland. He studied contemporary art at Edinburgh College of Art from 1962 to 1967.

During his time at Art College John Nelson was awarded a number of contemporary painting and drawing prizes including the Andrew Grant Scholarship. On completion of his studies, a Post Graduate Traveling Art Scholarship took John Nelson to France, Holland and Belgium, creating opportunities to exhibit paintings in these countries.

From 1971 to 1996 John Nelson was an art lecturer at Stevenson College, Edinburgh. Nelson has variously been a member of The Glasgow League of Artists and chairman between 1975 and 1976. John was also appointed chairman of the Livingston Art Foundation and the Craigmillar Festival Society.

John Nelson describes his paintings as bright colourful abstracts with figurative elements rooted in traditional genres, still life, portrait and landscape. Nelson says, “ I have no special 'build- up' system. I may do a lot of sketches before reflecting in the studio, but I work directly onto the canvas, with no preparatory drawing on it. Something emerges, which I follow and shape…. I don't think, I paint”

Nelson has had several art commissions. John has also appeared in two films, “We're All Big Boys Now and “3 Artists”.

In addition to Red Rag Scottish Art Gallery John Nelson art work has been exhibited at other leading Scottish Art Galleries. Each painting at Red Rag is sourced from the John Nelson artist studio and like all Red Rag Scottish art and Contemporary art it can be shipped worldwide.