Eventually, her family relocated to Morgan Hill, California, in the early 1920s.
(It would eventually become CalArts.)
There, she learned animation and met her husband, fellow animator Lee Everett Blair.
Concept Art and Working At Disney
Concept artis a vital part of an animated film.
It builds the foundation of an animation project by conveying its visual aesthetic.
The culture Blair witnessed in her travels set the stage for the style thats so memorable today.
Her aesthetic was celebrated at the time, particularly by Disney himself.
She and the company parted on good terms, as she wanted to strike out on her own.
But the illustrations in her books were more precise than her sketch art.
Offset by lyrical linework, the dazzling illustrations are still admired today.
End of Life
Although a prolific and successful creative, Blair was not without her troubles.
She is said to have become a recluse later in life as her freelance work ebbed.
She died in 1974 at the age of 66.
The cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage, likely due to acute alcoholism.
Mary Blair’s Legacy
Blair’s illustration style continues to influence and inspires artists and designers today.
Her use of color and shape design is of a very specific timemid-century modernbut they are still relevant today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mary Blair important?
Mary Blair’s imaginative concept art brought stories to life through Disney films.
When did Mary Blair leave Disney?
She left in 1953 to pursue her own freelance opportunities.
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