John Wesley Cotton

John Wesley Cotton (October  29, 1869 – November   24, 1931)[1] was a printmaker and painter in the early years of the 20th century.

He was trained as a commercial lithographer and studied at the Toronto Art Students' League from 1891 to 1892,[5] to improve his drawing skills.

He hoped to study with Sir Frank Short at the Royal School of Engraving and Etching (now called the South Kensington School of Art) in London,[9][4] but the enrollment being full, was advised to study with Eli Marsden Wilson from whom he learned Short's methods.

[10] He returned to Toronto from 1912 till 1917[8] where he played an active role in teaching others etching techniques he had learned in England.

[15] In 1916, with other former members of the Toronto Art Students' League, he played a leading role in the establishment of the Canadian Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers.

He was included in the Canadian Section of the Fine Arts at the British Empire Exhibition in London in 1924 with an engraving and an aquatint lent by the National Gallery of Canada.

[8] The Los Angeles County Museum of Art showed his work in 1923, as did other California associations, clubs and societies.