Search
Artist Jivantoro Mentis was born in New York City. He became interested in art at the age of 6 years old and won his first set of art supplies from a magazine drawing contest. His dad was an artist who never pursued an art career though he dabbled in the arts while his son looked on. This interest stuck with Mentis throughout his childhood and he eventually made art his full time career.
While living in Greenwich Village, Mentis made his living by painting portraits on the weekends in Washington Square in New York. He continued to excel in portrait painting and later exhibited at The Boston Museum of Art, The Sal Magundi Club, The Kent Arts Association, The Scott Fanton Museum, The Yale Art Association and many more. He won many first place prizes at the exhibitions while continuing to paint portraits from life. Mentis paints with various mediums including oils, watercolors, pastels, and he even does sculputure with Italian clay. Still today, he paints from life at The Scottsdale Artist School in Arizona. Life drawing and painting continues to be an important aspect of Mentis's life, and he has been a member of the American Society of Portrait Artists and a life fellow of the Fraternal Royal Society of Arts in London.
Although Mentis loves painting portraits, he also paints landscapes and abstract paintings. His many works are now being made into prints and giclees and will soon be available in his online store which will be launched very soon.
