Gotthold Schlotter is one of the two sons from the art gifted sculptor Heinrich Schlotter, a friend of the famous author Arno Schmidt. He completed his sculptural apprenticeship under his fathers tutelage in Bargfeld, after which he visited the art trade school in Hildesheim. It was not until after the war and captivity, that he was able to study, in 1946 he found his way to Munich. Upon graduation, he devoted himself entirely to the practical tasks; 1949-1951 he trained as a carpenter.