Known for his exquisite portraits and his mastery of a nearly lost tradition in the fine art of oil painting, Cotti, who has been commissioned by greats like Josephine Baker and Orson Wells, and whose portraits can be found in the galleries of collectors worldwide, now, with a life as rich as the art he produces, reemerges to grace the Art World. Born in California, June 22, 1935, Cotti had his first of many exhibits at age 11. The late, legendary Josephine Baker was so taken with Cotti's talent that she commissioned him to record her stage performances, which resulted in sixteen portraits. Josephine became Cotti's mentor--he was then 16. Two six-foot portraits of Josephine wrapped in her fabulous gowns remain in Cotti's possession. Cotti's formal education included Chouinard Art Institute, followed by Frank Wiggins Trade Tech College on a scholarship where he studied costume design. Later he attended the Joseph Richard School of Dance, also on a scholarship. There he studied Russian Classical Ballet (1952-1958). Taking time to serve a tour of duty with the U.S. Army, Cotti's last task in the service was to paint a mural of Mount Rainier at his army base. He honorably completed his tour of duty and was discharged in 1960. While performing classical ballet, Cotti continued with his first love--painting. Cotti studied under notable artists such as Paco Strada, a protege of Diego Rivera, Leon Frank, and Dino Cyter. Messrs. Frank and Cyter are listed in Who's Who in Art. Living and working in Hollywood, Cotti was quickly recognized by an impressive list of stars including Sammy Davis, Jr., Eartha Kitt, Johnny Mathis, and Vic Damone. In the 70's, Cotti was commissioned by the late Orson Welles to paint his portrait, with Mr. Welles flying Cotti to Paris France. Several months painting Orson, and the gardens and architecture of Paris, added much depth to Cotti's life experiences and to his artistic prowess. In the same decade, Cotti was taken on tour with one of Rock and Roll's Hall of Fame inductees, Sly Stone, (of Sly and the Family Stone), to capture the musician on canvas. The 80's brought Cotti to London by a commission from Peter Golding, Fashion Impresario for the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other notable English musicians. With one commission leading to another, weeks in London turned into a year painting and entertaining in a studio in Notting Hill Gate. In the early 90's, Cotti was invited by MGM film historian Jim Jeneji to paint a portrait of Marlene Dietrich from his personal collection of photographs. Although never meeting, upon seeing a photo of the portrait, Marlene requested that Cotti create another portrait specifically for her. Unfortunately, it was not long thereafter that she passed away. Enamored with this timeless enigma of light, art, and performance, Cotti has since produced several portraits of Marlene, with collectors still approaching Cotti to place her essence on canvas. Cotti's work has been exhibited throughout the years in the galleries of collectors in the U.S. and in Europe. Current collectors include many celebrities, including the one and only B.B. King. Cotti was awarded the commission to adorn the walls of the "Cajun House," an elite Jazz Dining Room in Scottsdale, Arizona, with portraits of the legendary jazz musicians, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and B.B. King. More recently, Cotti had been teaching his nearly lost craft to devoted art students. There are few artists today who can pass down Rembrant's "old school" methods of fine oil painting mastered by Cotti, which art critics consider to be a dying craft. Cotti not only offers many of his original oils for sale, he also offers giclées. Cotti continues to accept commissions for portraits--and rumor has it, he is about to emerge with yet a new expression of his mastery.
Known for his exquisite portraits and his mastery of a nearly lost tradition in the fine art of oil painting, Cotti, who has been commissioned by greats like Josephine Baker and Orson Wells, and whose portraits can be found in the galleries of collectors worldwide, now, with a life as rich as the art he produces, reemerges to grace the Art World. 
Taking time to serve a tour of duty with the U.S. Army, Cotti's last task in the service was to paint a mural of Mount Rainier at his army base. He honorably completed his tour of duty and was discharged in 1960.
In the early 90's, Cotti was invited by MGM film historian Jim Jeneji to paint a portrait of Marlene Dietrich from his personal collection of photographs. Although never meeting, upon seeing a photo of the portrait, Marlene requested that Cotti create another portrait specifically for her. Unfortunately, it was not long thereafter that she passed away. Enamored with this timeless enigma of light, art, and performance, Cotti has since produced several portraits of Marlene, with collectors still approaching Cotti to place her essence on canvas.
Cotti's work has been exhibited throughout the years in the galleries of collectors in the U.S. and in Europe. Current collectors include many celebrities, including the one and only B.B. King. Cotti was awarded the commission to adorn the walls of the "Cajun House," an elite Jazz Dining Room in Scottsdale, Arizona, with portraits of the legendary jazz musicians, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and B.B. King.
More recently, Cotti had been teaching his nearly lost craft to devoted art students. There are few artists today who can pass down Rembrant's "old school" methods of fine oil painting mastered by Cotti, which art critics consider to be a dying craft. Cotti not only offers many of his original oils for sale, he also offers giclées. Cotti continues to accept commissions for portraits--and rumor has it, he is about to emerge with yet a new expression of his mastery.