John N. Colt

Milwaukee Artist John N. Colt taught at UW-Milwaukee from 1957 to 1990 when he retired as Professor Emeritus. He had continued the family’s artist tradition, as his father, Arthur Colt, had been teacher and mentor thru his decades-old Colt School of Art. John is often spoken of by his students with affection, and the many admirers of his paintings recognize his work as unique, singular without being quirky, eccentric or sweet. During his tenure at UWM, he also spent time as visiting professor at the American University in Beirut and the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, Northern Michigan University in Marquette and Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. John found his own language in terms of subject, technique…or if you prefer, language. Natural forms, barely discernible, sketched lightly and hidden within broad swathes of thinly washed bright color. Pond life, tide pools, moths and chameleon-like creatures, here and there some living thing stands out more boldly, or perhaps it is just a suggestion of that life form, a wing, an outline, a leg or antennae. Describing his own approach to creating art, he stated,” I’ve never been interested in the panoramic scene as much as I have the little areas - little realms of experience, nature close-up." He painted images of miniature land and sea creatures, dried fruits and vegetables; creating luminous effects and giving them an abstract quality with delicate lines and shapes. He found inspiration in his travels to the Oregon and California coasts, Mexico, the Bahamas and Haiti where he and his wife, artist Ruth Kajer, had a second home.