Mentis' began to draw at the age of four years old. When he was ten he entered a cartoon in a magazine contest, which said, "Draw me" and he won. An art supply company sent him some art supplies, and that was the beginning of his journey as an artist.
Later in life, after high school, Mentis' won two scholarships to attend Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. At that time, he also attended The American School in Biarritz, France. He lived and worked as an artist in France for four years. He also studied and learned how to speak French.
An artist named Whittaker nominated Mentis' into The Fraternal Royal Society of the Arts in London.
Later he joined the merchant marines and traveled back to the United States.
Mentis' was hired as an executive for Eagle Pencil Company during the 60's as a products manager. He traveled the fifty states doing art lectures and workshops. He revolutionized the techniques for Prisma Pastels and received national acclaim for his accomplishments. He also did workshops at The Sal Magundi Club, Scott Fanton Museum and The Bridgeport Art League to name a few. In addition, one of his portraits won first place at the Boston Museum of Art.
Mentis' was forced to leave Eagle Pencil Company due to an illness in the family, and he became a high school art and photography teacher. He taught at the New Fairfield High School in Connecticut for 10 years. In the meantime, he went to school at night and earned his Masters of Science in Art Education.
That led him to a job at Mattatuck College, and he also initiated an art program at the Danbury Correctional Facility. In his sparetime, Mentis' produced and starred in his own art television workshop . It aired in Danbury, CT and won him the best of show in the 80's.
During his lifetime Mentis'has changed his style from Realism to Impressionistic, Cubism and Abstract.
In the past he has been a member of the American Society of Portrait Artists, The National Watercolor Society, The American Watercolor Society and The Arizona Artists Guild. He is listed in Who's Who in American Art for 2001/2002.
He is currently working on abstract and portrait commissions in Gilbert,Arizona.
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