John Canemaker has done it again.
The man who brought us “Before the Animation Begins: The Art and Lives of Disney Inspirational Sketch Artists” (November 1996, Hyperion Press), “Paper Dreams: The Art and Artists of Disney Storyboards” (October 1999, Hyperion Press) and “Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men” (October 2001, Hyperion Press) — three books that every serious Disney history buff should have in their library — has delivered the goods once more.
John’s “The Art and Flair of Mary Blair: An Appreciation” (Disney Editions, September 2003) may seem somewhat slim, particularly in comparison to the truly hefty Disney history books that preceded it. But don’t let this new volume’s seeming lack of volume put you off from purchasing “Blair.” For Canemaker’s crammed an awful lot of art as well as some intriguing stories about the Walt Disney Company into these all-too-brief 110 pages. Which is why I’m recommending that you run out right now and buy a copy of this snazzy little book.
Why for? Two words, folks: Mary Blair. It’s been said that Ms. Blair was Walt Disney’s favorite artist. And — as you page through this attractively laid-out book — it’s easy to see why. The vibrant colors that Mary used to create her drawing and paintings just pop off the page. The wit of her character designs. The sophistication as well as the simplicity of her inspirational sketches. Canemaker captures it all in “The Art and Flair of Mary Blair.”
Please note — however — that the sub-title of this book is “An Appreciation.” What that means is that you won’t find quite so many of warts-and-all stories in this volume. All of those great behind-the-scenes stories of in-fighting among Disney’s animators that made Canemaker’s last book — “Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men” — such a juicy read.
But — given how sad the last few years of Blair’s life was — perhaps this was a wise choice on John’s part. (Mind you, it’s not as if Canemaker actually shies away from the sensational stuff. He does — in fact — touch on Mary’s drinking, her troubled marriage to Lee Blair as well as their son’s emotional problems. But very briefly and only toward the tail-end of the book.)
But enough about what’s NOT in “The Art and Flair of Mary Blair.” Let’s talk about what IS in this fine new release from Disney Editions. Dozens upon dozens of drawings, paintings and pencil sketches by Mary. Seldom seen items like:
Her playful character designs for Disney’s 1950 release, “Cinderella.” (Which weren’t used for the film, by the way.)
Her bold & beautiful conceptual paintings for Disney’s 1951 “Alice in Wonderland” and 1953’s “Peter Pan.”
Plus rare photographs of Mary working side by side with Walt on “it’s a small world” as well as supervising the construction of massive murals for Disneyland’s Tomorrowland as well as WDW’s Contemporary Resort Hotel.
Given the relatively small size of this book, “The Art and Flair of Mary Blair” is admittedly a quick read. But — days after you’ve finished reading the thing — I’ll bet that you’ll end up doing what I’ve been doing. Which is picking the book up and cracking it open again. Just so you can marvel at Mary’s amazing paintings one more time.
A fine, fun volume, I strongly recommend that you go out and pick up a copy of “The Art and Flair of Mary Blair: An Appreciation.” This new John Canemaker book really will make a fine addition to any Disneyana library.
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