art + objets d'arts + photography

Authentic/Original “Light/Shadow Study” Painting by J.J. Milam (August 12, 1932 – April 1990), American.

Oil on wood panel, depiction of Helmut & sword. Signed & date 1966.

Measures 17″ width x 20″ width x 2″ depth of wood frame. Hand painted ornate detailing on frame.

Asking $925.

Information/dialogue found on internet, on the artist:

Wow! Finally, someone who knows who I am talking about!

I have one of J.J. Milam’s oil paintings titled “Nautical”, it’s a gorgeous little thing, a single shell, so detailed.

Anyway, no I never met Mr. Milam but he was a very, very good friend of my aunt who was an artist in New Orleans in the sixties and seventies. She is now deceased, and I have often wondered, as I have gotten older, about the artist Mr. Milam.

My aunt worked at Dick Nick’s art store in the quarter, now known as Vincent’s. Her name was Marilynn Cottonaro Goddard.

A gentleman named Jack Kerrigan, who lives in New Orleans, contacted me several years ago after he acquired one of Milam’s paintings. He wasn’t able to find out very much information about him either. He had heard he came from Illinois (which is where I live, and my aunt had lived years ago), and that he was more of an art restorer than an actual artist. As if there is that much difference.

He said he had tracked him to living in an apartment at the Napoleon House at sometime in the past. And we think he may have been living there with my aunt, but aren’t sure.

Below is some information I found regarding J.J. Milam from the social security death index, but have been unable to confirm he is the same J.J. Milam, the artist, living in New Orleans.

Name: J J Milam

Birth: August 12, 1932

Death: April 1990

Age: 57

Last Address of Record: None Specified

Last SS Benefit Received: None Specified

State of Issue: Illinois

Social Security #: 343-24-9227

He apparently was from Illinois I was told.

And it looks as if he was relatively young when he passed away.

In the SSDI you are able to leave a “post it” in case someone else is searching for him as well, also you are able to order his SS record, and I’m clueless as to what might be included in that. I suspect it is a copy

of his initial SS application.

After a quick check at Ancestry.com, I do find a John J. Milam, born in Cook County, Illinois between 1932 and 1935. This could be him.

Any information you could send my way would be wonderful, and I could include it in the information regarding my little oil painting.

Thank you,

Ronda “Katy” Whittington

Granite City, Illinois

I knew John J. Milam when I lived in The Napoleon House.

I actually sublet his apartment once before moving into my own.

He was a very, very kind man.

It was my understanding that he was among other things,

a former Golden Glove boxer and a former member of

the Merchant Marine.

He was both an artist and a painting restorer.

His paintings adorn the walls of the 2nd floor of the Napoleon House

in the very lovely Banquet Hall the apartment of the Emperor.

http://www.napoleonhouse.com/

He knew many artists and true bohemians of the Vieux Carre

John J. MIlam’s portrait was painted in a famous painting done by Noel Rockmore which featured artists of the Quarter and MIlam is prominantly featured http://www.noelrockmore.org/ The painting used to hang in the upperline restaurant Uptown New Orleans http://www.upperline.com/index.php/art/

He restored paintings for many galleries in the Quarter including Dixon and Dixon Antiques, which closed after Katrina. I would contact the Napolean House if you wish to know more.

You have a treasure.