John Balmain studied for some years under Max Meldrum. He is well known as a portrait artist, having painted a number of important Australian figures. He was also a tutor at McClelland Galleries in Melbourne.
Awards include three prizes in the Caltex Awards and The Royal Overseas League Exhibition.
Represented in private collections here and overseas, also in munincipal galleries in Australia.
References:
Germaine, Max. Artists and Galleries of Australia, Volumes 1 & 2, Third Edition. Craftsman Press, Sydney, 1990. Page 28