He studied for one year at Yale University's Art School before moving to Paris in 1920 when he took instruction at the Academié de la Grande Chaumière. in Paris, France.
In 1925 Talcott traveled to Norway where he stayed on and off for six years. From this experience came two books, Noravind (1929) and Report of the Company (1936). He provided the illustrations for both publications. Also in 1936 he published North of North Cape (aka The Arctic Voyages of the Norkap II) which also featured his drawings. In 1932 he married Martha Isaksen, a Norwegian.
In 1932 sculpture was still an Olympic competition and Talcott had two pieces entered in the Los Angelesgames that year.[3] He did not win any medals.[2] For the New York World's Fair of 1939 Talcott produced "panels, figures, etc.".[4]