On a recent work related trip to Disneyland, I found myself surrounded by the art of Mary Blair. Most likely, everyone is familiar with the art of the late Mary Blair. She was an American artist best remembered today for her work done for The Walt Disney Company. She ‘s the one who illustrated striking concept art and psychedelic characters for such films as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Cinderella. She’s the one who set the tone for childhood dreams.

Her style also lives on through the character designs for the Disney attraction It’s a Small World, the fiesta scene in El Rio del Tiempo in the Mexico pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, as well as, an enormous mosaic inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It’s always cool to see illustrations translate into a physical environment (i.e. It’s a Small World at Disneyland/World, which is still kinda creepy btw). Several of her illustrated children’s books from the 50’s have never been out of print, such as I Can Fly. More recently, Google Doodle paid some tribute to Blair by illustrating their search engine in Blair’s style.

Daisy: What kind of a garden do you come from?

Alice: Oh, I don’t come from any garden.

Daisy: Do you suppose she’s a wildflower?

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