MENTOR'S MASTERS

MASTER MENTOR

PAIRED ART WORKS

*

* View Master Pairs *

A brief Biography of Mentor Huebner was entered into the California State Archives, April 6, 2001, and a part of it reads:

"Mentor Charles Huebner, a Post Impressionist Painter from the Twentieth Century, did his work in the arenas his time slot made available to him, and became a Master in his field, equal to any other 'Old Master; who had lived during any other era".

True!

Mentor was indeed a Master.

Mentor studied the Art Masters since he was 8. Even during the last few weeks of his life he had been deeply engrossed in a comprehensive book about Rembrandt. Our daughter, Jessica had given it to him. Now we are deeply sentimental about it. He read it every morning after breakfast.

He never tired of viewing the work of the greats either in publications or 'live' in Museum Exhibits.

Although he was emotionally drawn to Post Impressionism he was appreciative of all styles. He always had a positive word to say about any 'good' artist who favored any style. If they were recognized by the masses or not he formed his own judgements. He analyzed paintings and came to conclusions based upon design, composition the quality of the application of paint, the clarity of color and brush strokes. The topic rarely concerned him.

He didn't impose his own personal likes except perhaps to state, "I wouldn't do it that way, but you have to admit that guy is pretty damned good."

He attended exhibits of Masters and unknowns with equal enthusiasm.

It's clear to see which Masters influenced Mentor.

In all fairness, we can say that he at times, surpassed a Master's intentions.

Whenever Mentor was complimented on his extraordinary consistency, "You did that better than Van Gogh", he would slowly heave a deep sigh, blow out the intake through his closed lips, and say, "Oh Please!"

How many Masters have you known personally?

I met just one ~ Mentor.

Masters are rare.

The identification "Master" has nothing to do with celebrity. It's a title awarded for a high level consistent display of competence in an area of expertise that is obviously beyond the norm. It's Cosmic. Spiritual.

Occasionally a genius is born with multiple talents. Mentor had a huge talent that overflowed into many diverse, complicated and demanding artistic endeavors. Two for which he is most known are in FINE ART (Post Impressionist Painting) and FILM PRODUCTION (Conceptual Designs).

Sadly, many Artists obtain a richer life...only after death. It's common.

To a certain extent Mentor was popular during his lifetime. He won awards and his work is collections around the world. He was invited to lecture, world-wide. He was invited to judge competitions of artists. But still....he isn't a household name.

As a Post Impressionist Painter, he was most interested in "light' and his work 'reflects' that interest. Saying he was a "painter of light" would hold up in any court case. But I think that would be a totally unnecessary definition.

Mentor called himself a "Painter". Painter covers all of it. Light. Color. Texture. Composition. The works! It would be like saying Mentor the Painter painted with paint.

Not all artists need to flaunt their talents while living their lives. He painted for himself. He couldn't have cared less about how he looked when he painted. He wore old jeans and old shirts. There was nothing that could remove the paint. And really...why bother? He didn't feel as though he had to look like a Salon Artist painting royalty. He was out in the bushes. In the hot sun. It took him a day to do a landscape. He might drive three hours to reach his destination and then three hours back. He painted when the 'light was 'right'. He always returned home after 'dark'.

One night, after a day of 'Plein Aire Painting' and covered with green paint ~ for a quick 'pick me up' , at the start of his long drive home, Mentor stopped at a fast food chain for coffee. As he walked in, a guy with a little girl was leaving and they passed each other in the doorway. The girl around seven, stared intently at Mentor, and in a dramatic stage whisper, asked, "Daddy, is that man a street person...?"

Mentor loved to repeat that story. He liked the little girl's analysis of his appearance. It was very similar to what I complained about. He never knew what the Studio guys called him. That began....later.

Mentor's Studio Peers, other professional Movie Artists, Directors, Producers, Production Designers and Art Directors, now refer to Mentor as, "The King of the Illustrators".

Today, they study Mentor's work the way Mentor studied Van Gogh. They have for many years. Even more so now. Now that his work is finite.

Still those who knew him from a slight distance, may not always had his resume at the tip top of their brains. At parties or some personal activity that just 'plain folks' attend ~ it didn't always occur to anyone that he had produced 2000 oil paintings, 40,000 drawings, exhibited his art work in 50 One Man Shows and worked for about 250 Feature Films, designed Theme Parks and Restaurants and lots more. .

Sometimes, 'splattered green paint' or smudges from charcoal pencils can blind a person. Sometimes smudges obscure truth.

But stop and think. This guy, this regular guy, who for fun boxed and ran track, was a husband and father of three, did a lot of art work. He didn't have an art machine in the basement, or a band of ' helpers' tucked away in a 'sweat shop art mill'. He did it all himself.

Just the volume alone would be hard to achieve. And the perfection? That's a lot of talent.

Edgar Allen Poe sold his original manuscript; "THE RAVEN" for what today might equal around $12.00. Now what's it worth? In 1950, Mentor painted a portrait of a Chouinard Art Student for $35.00. I have recently seen it. It's wonderful. Fantastic.

This information chills me: Enterprising 'loved ones' of Johann Sebastian Bock -- cleverly dipped Bock's original 'musical scores' into gooey hot tar to wrap around the base of tree trunks ~ to inhibit insect damage from an infestation. I don't know. Could even the uneducated have been that stupid?

'Knowing' a Master sometimes dulls the 'edges' and can cause an underestimation of the Master's talent and genius.

I want to keep Mentor's image 'edgy'.

For fun it's nice to consider that Mentor shares his July 19 Birthday with Edgar Degas and his Birthmonth with quite a few other well known artists. Like: Russia's Marc Chagall, the Dutch. Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn, our American, James McNeill Whistler, and the Mexican Painter, who I love and who could have been Mentor's artistic twin, Jose Maria Velasco.

But there is more they share then being born in July. Much more. Artistic Genius for one. Each of them is a Famous Master.

Help judge. Write and express what you think. You don't have to be an art professional to know what you like and to react emotionally. If you wish your letters will be posted.

Pairs of Painting and Drawing images will be updated on a regular basis. Please revisit us. I am a bit busy writing my books, but I am dedicated to this project.

*

*

*

*

*

Mentor'sMasters@MentorHuebnerArt.com

* * *

Please visit again. More Art Work on the way.