The Academy of Motion Pictures pulled together a great symposium in honor of Mary Blair’s centenary.  The only female in the gang of Disney’s “9 Old Men” Blair’s unmistakably bold and colorful designs continue to inspire and influence artists in all areas of animation today.

Although Mary Blair (1911-1978)  is perhaps best known for the design of Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” attraction and park murals, her concept artwork for “Cinderella,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan” in the 1950s, as well as for earlier short subjects, reflects her unique sensibility and lasting influence on animation.

The roundtable disussion included a number of Disney designers talking about Blair’s influence

Michael Giaimo, a character designer for “The Brave Little Toaster” and “FernGully: The Last Rainforest,” as well as the art director for “Pocahontas” and a visual development artist for “Home on the Range.”

Eric Goldberg, … Read More »