John Maskell is a self-taught painter and woodcarver who was born in Barking, Essex. During the 1960s and 1970s one-man shows of his work were held at London's Toynbee Hall, the East London Gallery, and the Trumpington Gallery in St Ives. During this time, he also enjoyed several two-man shows in London and the south east. Up until the 1990s he also participated extensively in Pentad Art Group Shows at a variety of locations in the UK.

Since settling in St Ives, he has held one-man exhibitions at the St Ives Arts Club in Cornwall.