John Pratten was a college professor and painter whose work decorates the Sea World entrance in Orlando, Florida. He married Daisy Bruce in 1924, and they settled in Poughkeepsie, New York. The Prattens were very active supporters of the Duchess County Art Association in New York. John Pratten created display advertising and taught portrait and landscape painting.

During the 1940s and 50s, the couple managed the Wayman Adams summer art school in Elizabethtown, New York.

The Prattens later moved to Saint Augustine, Florida, where John conducted art classes (which were attended by the painting’s model Frances Howatt) and was active in the city’s Art Association. Pratten served on the jury of many competitive shows held at the Association. Throughout his career, he garnered many awards for his excellence in portraiture. In 1955, he authored the book Portrait Painting for Beginners.

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