Born in Murrumbeena, Australia, Boyd had no formal training in painting and drawing. He did however study with his grandfather Arthur Merric Boyd, the New Zealand born landscape painter. Boyd is best known for his experimental and sometimes complex painting of figures and impressionist, pastoral landscapes. He produced several series of works, including a collection of 15 biblical paintings. He would often use loose strokes of thickly coated brushes. He applied paint with his fingers and palm .