John Cornwell is a fifth generation Australian, born (1930) and brought up in Sydney. He is a modern traditional painter in oil, of mostly rural subjects, as well as a sculptor.  His work has been reproduced as prints and decorative plates.   

He has had 33 one-man exhibitions.  John became particularly well known for his realist paintings of working horses in  rural Australian landscape, and for character studies of country personalities. He researches material for these with extensive travel throughout Australia, including long rides, sometimes using packhorses.