A new book highlights the colorful Mary Blair — one of the first female artists for Disney
Mary Blair was colorful in every sense of the word. She began working for Walt Disney Studios in 1940 when black and white animated films were the norm. Mary had greater ideas of colorful worlds. She began working on concept art for films like Cinderella, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland — but she encountered resistance to her way of thinking which eventually led to her leaving Disney and working on her own.
A new children’s picture book called Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire seeks to teach new generations about Mary Blair and her impact on the world. Illustrated in vivid color by Brigette Barrager, the book tells Mary’s story of persistence, being herself, and following her dreams.
Smart Girls spoke over e-mail with Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville, the authors of Pocket Full of Colors, about Mary’s work, her story, and why it’s important to share with younger generations.
SMART GIRLS: How did this book and creative team come together?
Jacqueline Tourville: Amy and I have known each other since we were three years old! We grew up across the street from each other in a small town in northern New York.
When we reconnected at a high school reunion, we realized how much we had in common: we both write for children and we both are really committed to celebrating the stories of amazing women…women like Mary Blair! I love the creative energy of writing with a coauthor, and to have that coauthor also be a lifelong friend is something I cherish. The book itself grew out of a discussion of Mary’s art. We’re such big fans of her work and upon reading more about her career and life, we realized that her story was one that needed to be told!
While reading the book, I immediately thought Mary sounded like the coolest woman. What first drew you to her story?
JT: Her art! Who can resist the color and childlike joy of Mary Blair? Her art’s distinctly modern style is visionary and groundbreaking — and influential! The vibrant colors and geometric shapes that she loved so much (and the same ones that were often rejected as too forward thinking by Disney animators at the time) are now the norm. It’s Mary’s world and we’re just living in it!
Amy Guglielmo: Her art! Mary Blair was a pioneer. She was bold. She is a hero worth celebrating, and she persevered for the sake of her unique style. Her dedication left a colorful mark on the world and inspired generations of artists.
I hadn’t heard Mary’s story before reading the book. Why do you think it’s important to tell her story to the younger generation?
JT: Mary Blair was one of the first women to join the inner sanctum of Walt Disney Studio’s animation team. During her time working with the “Nine Old Men,” the nickname for Disney’s core group of animators, Mary’s work was frequently rejected as too colorful, too modern, and too bold.
Instead of giving in the demands of her bosses that she conform to the dominant look and feel of Disney movies at the time, Mary stuck to her colorful vision and now her work is viewed as a high point of Disney’s golden age. It would have been so easy to churn out art that looked just like everyone else, but she didn’t.
I love to imagine parents watching Alice in Wonderland or Cinderella or Peter Pan with their kids, then reading about Mary, the woman who helped bring these characters to life! Or, after a trip to Disney, when It’s a Small World is still running through everyone’s heads, learning about the woman who made it all happen!
AG: So many people are aware of Mary’s art without being aware of Mary. Her work was groundbreaking. She’s an example to young artists and an inspiration to anyone that dares to show their true colors and chase their dreams.
Mary was obviously very persistent in her vision for her art. Has there been a time in your life that you had to be persistent and what inspired you to keep going?
JT: I think about writing my first book and how easy it would have been to give up. No one even knew I wanted to be a writer, so who would even know that had I given up? But somewhere deep inside, I knew that it mattered — even if only to me — that I stuck to my dream and kept writing. So I did. That was 15 years and 12 books ago!
AG: Before Pocket Full of Colors, I went seven years without releasing a new book. My confidence was waning, to say the least. I defended my choices and questioned my ability. I painted, wrote articles, and taught art classes. I found other creative ways to provide for my family, like Mary did when she left Disney. (She illustrated children’s books and advertisements.) I had doubts, but never stopped writing, or making things.
Do you have advice for young girls who are interested in careers in creative fields like Mary’s or yours?
AG: Inspiration is everywhere. Go to a museum or take a walk in the woods. Collect ideas and make stuff. Take chances with your art, make mistakes, and keep going. Find a friend like Jacqueline for feedback and collaboration. Find someone who is doing what you want to do and ask them questions. Don’t be afraid to show off your creations!
JT: Find a friend like Amy!
What’s the main thing you hope readers take away after reading the book?
JT: I love Brigette’s illustration in the book that shows a purposeful Mary leaving Disney with her many colors flaming behind her. The only words on the page are: “So she did.” This page gave me goosebumps when I first saw it. I think it perfectly sums up Mary Blair’s life and work, from sketching and drawing as a child to her triumphant work on It’s a Small World. Nothing could stop her.
AG: Don’t give up your dreams! I hope Mary Blair’s unapologetic pursuit of her artistic aspirations and commitment to her style encourages readers to feel empowered and go for it.
What advice would you give to your 12-year-old self?
AG: Don’t toss your bad art. Make it better or turn it into something else. Also, spend more time with Jacqueline.
JT: When I was 12-years-old, I knew for sure that I wanted to be a writer…I wanted to be just like Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary and Madeleine L’Engle. But I didn’t think I would ever be able to figure out HOW to pull this off. Writers seemed like such magical creatures! What spell or enchantment did I need to learn to spin words into stories? I now realize that writing is mainly practice and persistence.
So…dear 12-year-old Jacqueline, you know that habit you have of closely observing everything and then writing about it for hours in your notebook? That, my dear, is being a writer. And that means you don’t need to worry about to how to become one because you are already are one. Just keep doing what you’re doing and the rest will follow.
You can find out more about Mary online and make sure to pick up a copy of Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire for the little artists in your life who may need inspiration.
