PALACE OF FUN
Mentor Huebner (c) 1955
Oil on Masonite ~ 24 X 30

PALACE OF FUN

BY

Visitors to Southern California from countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, or from the Middle East, especially Spain would all insist the Vistas in Southern California paralleled landscapes in their own countries. It made them feel sentimental. Mentor’s film locations took him around the world and he agreed; Southern California indeed resemble those countries.

And when we were in Spain, we too were struck with sentiment based upon its 'look'. The coastline of Spain, with its ancient Moorish Forts and Castles always reminded us of home. Still, Mentor painted “A Palace of Fun” several years before he'd ever left the USA. The long shot view of the Amusement Park Pier reminded him of Castles in Spain. Without ever having seen them.

He loved the beaches in Southern California and over the years painted them from every angle. Mentor painted every week. Although Mentor painted on Sundays, he wasn't a Sunday painter. Painting was his life, not his hobby. He worked in the film industry only for money so as not to ‘sellout’ his personal style and to be able to paint whatever he wanted to paint. No art collector could ever lure him with enough money to paint what they dictated. “I'm my own benefactor. I support my own art.” He never painted to please anyone except himself, and followed no fad.

When he painted this long view of the Amusement Park, he was unaware that we would
return frequently, to the very spot, and picnic there with three children, ours. The area offers a wide expanse of clean sand and is perfect for kids.

Our first born son, as a toddler, loved it there. The minute we arrived, he would gleefully race to the other end of the beach ~ really fast. But having won medals at track, Mentor would always catch him before he could disappear into the Amusement Park. Appearing to be indifferent, Mentor would give the kid a quarter of a mile lead. Then when our son was caught, Mentor returned to his painting.

In time paintings and picnics parted.

It was better that way.

---

12 Paintings 12 Intimate Stories

click links to view larger images and see individual intimate stories
OR
click here to view a slideshow of the paintings in sequence

"MENTOR" Self Portrait Mentor Huebner (c) 1963 Oil on Masonite 30" X 24"	"MOJAVE GOLD" Mentor Huebner (c) 1953 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"	" A PALACE OF FUN" Mentor Huebner (c) 1955 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"
"THE BISTRO" Mentor Huebner (c) 1962 Oil on Painter's Board 22" X 26"	"SEXI BEACH BAR" Mentor Huebner (c) 1962 Oil on European Painter's Board 22" X 26"	"SAINT MARKS IN VENICE" Mentor Huebner (c) 1962 Oil on European Painter's Board 22" X 26"
"THE GRAND CANAL IN VENICE" Mentor Huebner (c) 1958 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"	"THE FOREIGNER" Mentor Huebner (c) 1969 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"	"HENRY FORD BRIDGE" Mentor Huebner (c) 1963 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"
"MORTAL WOUND" Mentor Huebner (c) 1957 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"	"BOURBON STREET" Mentor Huebner (c) 1953 Oil on Masonite 22" X 26"	"CALIFORNIA GOLD" Mentor Huebner (c) 1959 Oil on Masonite 30" X 24"