John Macdonald Aiken was born in Aberdeen. He was a painter in oils and watercolours as well as an etcher and stained glass artist.

After serving a six years apprenticeship as a draughtsman with the lithographer Robert Gibb he studied at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen and at the Royal College of Art under Gerald Moira as well as in Florence.

He became Head of Gray's School of Art in 1911-14 before devoting himself full-time to the practice of art.

 He was awarded the silver medal at the Paris Salon in 1923 for his portrait of Harry Townend, previously exhibited at the RA in 1921 and shown yet again at the French Artists' Salon of 1929.

He lived for a time in London before returning to Aberdeenshire.

Although his earlier work showed the great influence of Moira's decorative technique he gradually developed his own distinctive style.

He produced more than 100 etchings, 8 of which are identified in Guichard's British Etchers  ( which describes him as “a sound Scottish etcher from Aberdeen”)

After the death of his wife he settled in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.

Elected Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy 1923, Associate of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers 1924, Royal Scottish Academy 1935, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours 1944.

He exhibited regularly: RA (925), RSA (127), RI (8), RE (19), RSW (2), GI (49), and AAS (1898-1959).

His work is represented in Aberdeen, Dundee, and Perth Art Galleries as well as in Leith Hall (NTS).

Source :Dictionary of Scottish Art & Architecture, Peter J. M. McEwan