Poon attended and graduated from the Academy of Art College (AAC) in San Francisco, winning numerous student awards and scholarships. After graduation, John accepted the AAC's offer to remain at the college as an instructor of painting and drawing, and eventually served as Director of Foundations overseeing the core Drawing, and Color and Design classes.

John believes in the importance of an academic grounding in the basic principles of art and adheres strongly to the classical premises of art education. He values his teaching and administrative experiences as having increased his perspective as an educator and artist.

His numerous professional awards and honors include "Best of Show" Society of Western Artists; Arts for the Parks Annual National Juried Exhibition; The Artist Magazine Annual National Juried Competition; Sonoma Plein Air; Sedona Plein Air; and The Rocky Mountain Annual Plein Air Paint Out.

John lives in Liberty, Utah with his wife, Jenny, five children and Momo the cat.