This is another one that they never told me about, although her work probably has been seen by so many without ever knowing who she was. Mary Blair, (1911-1978), North American artist and graphic designer, was born in Oklahoma. Blair produced the drawings and the concept art for the Walt Disney Company for such movies as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Song of the South, and Cinderella. She also designed some of the characters for the Disney theme parks such as for It’s a Small World, the fiesta scene in Epcot’s The River of Time and the large mosaic inside the Disney Contemporary Resort. During the 1950’s she illustrated several children’s books that are still being edited today like I Can Fly by Ruth Krauss. In 1991 Mary Blair was awarded the honour of being inducted into the Disney Legends Group.
Mary was well educated in the fine arts. After graduating from San Jose State University (1931) she won a scholarship to the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles (1931-1933). Her professors were such artists as: Pruett Carter, Morgan Russell and Lawrence Murphy. She graduated from Chouinard in 1933. Her husband, Lee Everett Blair (1911-1993), was also an artist, as well as her brother-in-law Preston Blair (1908–1995). Both Mary and her husband were members of the California School of Watercolor (sic). There they were well known for being imaginative colourists and designers.
Her first job in animation was for Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer. She joined Walt Disney Animation Studio in 1940.
Mary Blair died of a cerebral haemorrhage in 1978, possibly due to alcoholism.
If you are an artist, art student, or interested in the fine arts, I would strongly urge you to follow up and read more on Mary Blair and on anything related to art. As I always say, «Art is the search». So keep on searching folks, it is the only way to find.
Here are some samples of her work I hope you like:
CHEERS
JaZzArt en València 
Thank you, Francesco, for the interesting story of Mary Blair!
Joanna
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She was a phenomenal artist with an interesting history and it must be known and no longer kept obscured in art history. Thank you Joanna!
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I agree, Francesco, and her story could be a warning to those drinking. Luckily, I am not, but on reflection although not a drink, but something must kill me one distant day. Happy Monday!
Joanna
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Good point about that warning Joanna. Reference what kills us, well, things like that are inevitable and unknown to most. Have a lovely Monday and a smashing week. All the best.
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Thank you, Francisco, and likewise!
Joanna
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Pleasure Joanna.
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oooh, una altra dona menystinguda i tan apreciada que hagués estat si haguéssim conegut la seva identitat en els seus treballs.., potser no s’hagués alcoholitzat! Una llàstima,😥😢☹️
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Bon dia. Tens raó, però lamentablement aquesta és la fi de molts, encara que siguin famosos o desconeguts… moltíssimes gràcies i una salutació.
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Wonderful post 🙏🎸
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Thank you Satyam!
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ah, I wasn’t aware of Mary, but have seen so many of her paintings in the Disney world
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So true Beth. That is the essential problem. We have all seen her phenomenal work but somehow they kept her name out of art history… Thank you so much and all the best!
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This definitely looks like 1950s art.
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Thank you so much Dawn!
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