He was educated in Fort William, Ontario, and New Westminster, B.C. In the early 50s at the west coast he studied with Helen Douglas and with Joe Plaskett in evening life classes at the Vancouver School of Fine Art. In the mid-60s he studied with Steve Repa at the Allied Arts Centre in Brandon. Academically, he holds a Certificate in Education from Brandon University. Much of Panton's work experience in printing, journalism, university administration, and the teaching of children's art has added to his experience of the arts in general and the visual arts in particular. He has been exhibiting professionally since 1964 and began his full-time career as a painter in 1972 after his move to Winnipeg.