Artist mainly in watercolour, some oil, mostly painting boats and some flowers. He was elected to RSW in 1932 and SSA in 1946, also showing at Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts. In the 1940s and 1950s his works were thought well enough of to be illustrated in catalogues. MacPherson further showed at RSA, RA and Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and worked until his death, living for a time in Paisley, latterly in Johnstone, Renfrewshire. McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock, holds MacPherson’s work.