Hubert Buel was born in Sacramento, California in 1915. During the the 1930s, in the height of the Depression, he began studying watercolor painting at Fresno State College. Because of the medium’s versatility and inexpensive cost an entire school of artists were able to continue painting even during hard times. The California Watercolor school artists included Millard Sheets, Phil Dyke, George Post, and Milford Zornes, among others. The immediate drying qualities of the paint allowed for few mistakes and quick application. Using watercolors and paper instead of oils and canvas made it easy for artists to take their materials with them and paint on site. He eventually helped found the West Coast Watercolor Society.

In 1938, Buel joined the Navy and was stationed in the South Pacific. Here, he continued to paint the vibrant colors of his surroundings. Upon returning from the War, Buel began working as an illustrator at the San Francisco Chronicle. The artist often travelled to Europe, Mexico, and throughout the U.S. on assignment and continued painting. His work unites the qualities of an illustrator with the recognizable watercolorist style.