Born in rural North Carolina, Horton attended Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida. After enjoying an extraordinarily successful twenty-six year career in advertising and design, the artist turned his attention to fine art. Horton retired from advertising in 1989 and moved to Pawley's Island, South Carolina where he opened an art gallery.

While the artist enjoys working in a variety of styles and mediums, he is best known for his realistic paintings of antique sports memorabilia and household objects. Before he begins painting, Horton fastidiously researches his subjects to insure their accurate and authentic depiction. The artist attributes his affinity for realism to his career in advertising which required meticulous attention to detail. Horton's work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions throughout the United States.