Lee Blair Biography provided courtesy of “California Watercolors 1850-1970” By Gordon T. McClelland and Jay T. Last.

Lee Blair (1911-1993)...Born: Los Angeles, CA

Studied: Chouinard Art Institute (Los Angeles)

Member: New York Water Color Club, American Watercolor Society, California Water Color Society.

Lee Blair was born and raised in Southern California. He attended art school in Los Angeles and studied with Pruett Carter, Millard Sheets, Lawrence Murphy and briefly with Mexican artist David Alfarc, Siqueiros. While attending art school Blair won several major awards for his watercolor paintings, including a gold medal in the art division of the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. Lee became president of the California Water Color Society in 1935, and it was largely through his efforts that the Society shows began traveling nationally and internationally.

Throughout his life, Lee Blair produced California Style watercolors. In the 1930s, he was one of the key artists who helped develop this approach to watercolor painting and was a prominent award winner in many art exhibitions. He had a unique sense of wit and humor which often came through in his art works and usually determined the subjects he chose to paint.

...extended biography is available in McClellands "California Watercolors" book.

Lee Blair Biographical information:

Interview with Lee Blair, 1983.