Well-known Milwaukee artist Peter Paris of Shorewood died Nov. 5. He was 89.
The Milwaukee native grew up on the city’s northside and graduated from the old Wisconsin State Teachers College, now the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Pursuing his studies during the Depression, he worked as a sign painter to pay his tuition. He continued his education in Chicago, where he worked as an advertising artist for the Chicago Tribune.
He returned to Milwaukee and launched a long career as an art teacher at Kosciuszko Junior Trade School and South Division High School. Also, he taught classes in barracks at Pulaski High School before the school building was completed.
In addition, he taught evening classes at the Milwaukee Area Technical College, Shorewood Adult Education program and Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun Religious School. He also did scenery for the Perhift Players, Milwaukee’s former Yiddish theater.
According to his wife, Dorothy (Dottie) Paris, “He always inspired others to create art and pursue teaching careers.”
Known for donning an artist’s cap, the black beret, he specialized in caricature sketching. His wife added, “He loved talking to people and in just a few minutes and a few lines, he was able to create a caricature — usually by getting the people to talk about themselves.”
The couple met at the Jewish Community Center’s Art Club. She was a fashion illustrator. They married and spent the following summer in California, where Paris worked as an artist for Universal Studios. Among his favorites of the caricatures he did there were W. C. Fields and Mae West.
But the couple missed their families and returned to Milwaukee when Paris began his teaching career.
He was stationed in California during World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he helped produce maps and sketches. In his spare time he drew portraits of officers and several generals.
In addition to teaching, he maintained a commercial art studio downtown. He was a freelance artist for many commercial clients, including Time Insurance, Allis-Chalmers and Miller Brewing.
Even though he lived in a nursing home the past five years after suffering meningitis, he continued to sketch staff members, who loved his caricatures.
He created several pieces of art for Jewish institutions, including the Jewish Community Center and the Oasis restaurant at the Jewish Home and Care Center. He also did caricatures at bar mitzvahs and other Jewish celebrations.
He was a member of Congregation Shalom, where he also taught art.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by son Jon Paris of New York, N.Y., and brother Milton Paris of Sun Lakes, Ariz.
Graveside services were held at Anshai Lebowitz Cemetery.
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