Atkinson is an animal (especially horses) and landscape painter in oil, tempera, and watercolor. John Atkinson was born in Newcastle, attended the School of Art, and studied briefly with Wilson Hepple. In 1900 he decided to become a full-time professional artist after frequent exhibitions at the Berwick Club in Newcastle. He moved to North Yorkshire, Sleights, and later Glaisdale, where he lived until just before the First World War. He returned to Newcastle in 1914, where he founded his studio. He is buried at the Saltwell Cemetery. Atkinson exhibited his work often during his career, including at the Royal Academy, Royal Scottish Academy, the Institute of Painters in Watercolor, and in many other galleries.