James T. French

1932 - 2017

July 14, 1932 - June 16, 2017 Artist, photographer Jim French died June 16 at his home in Palm Springs. He is survived by husband Jeff Turner. In his early career Jim was a successful commercial artist and illustrator on Madison Ave. Jim began making drawings of bodybuilders under the names Arion and Luger. Taking up the camera he founded legendary Colt Studio. As sole creator he gave artistic excellence to the homoerotic publication. Colt was a wide success and became synonymous with classic masculine beauty. Under the pseudonym Rip Colt his early work made icons of models such as Bruno and Al Parker. Jim evolved further with powerful, refined pictures of models like Pete Kuzak and John Pruitt. His influence was profound, setting the standard for the male form in photography. French published ground breaking fine art books including "Man", "Another Man" and "Opus Deorum". The phrase "Colt Man" will be a defining term for years to come. Memorial service Sat. July 22, 4pm at The Copa, Palm Springs, CA.