Robert Noel Blair

Robert Noel Blair (American, 1912-2003) was a prolific Western New York artist, painter, sculptor, printmaker and teacher. He is best known for his rural life & desert landscapes and World War II scenes. He has painted throughout Western New York, Maine, Vermont and the American Southwest, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Ireland and the Virgin Islands. His paintings are noted for their range of color, fluidity and movement. He is nationally known for his watercolors, but also worked in oils, pen & ink, sculpture, acrylics and drawing.

Robert studied Drawing & Sculpture at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA from 1931-34 under Guthrie, Burns & sculpture under Frederick Allen. On February 14, 1942 Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army at the Fort Niagara Youngstown branch, and was later stationed at Fort McClellan, GA. In 1943, before heading overseas to serve in WWII, Robert had painted a religious mural in the 3rd Regiment Chapel at Fort McClellan, and that August, in front of the finished mural he married Jeanette (née Kenney) Blair (American, 1922-), a fellow painter from the Art Institute of Buffalo and they later raised three children; Jeanne E. (1945-1965), David F. (1948-) and Bruce A. (1951-). Robert served in the 3rd Regiment from Fort McClellan, and the 17th Airborne Division in Belgium and Germany, as well as the 82nd Airborne Division in Berlin as a sergeant. After previously being banned from his art supplies, his commanding officer General Liebel intervened and Blair was given permission to paint in the field, as long as it didn't interfere with his duties as a soldier. He also designed training aids for the Army. Most of his WWII paintings were later donated by Blair to the Burchfield Art Center, Buffalo, NY (now the Burchfield-Penney Art Center) after his solo exhibition of these works in 1985. While stationed abroad, he taught art in the U.S. Army with the Berlin Red Cross.

When Robert returned from the war, he began teaching at the Art Institute of Buffalo from 1946-49 and also with the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy at the Albright Art School, and at the Buffalo Museum of Science. In addition, he taught in many colleges, school systems, guilds & art societies in and around Buffalo to include; University of Buffalo, State University College at Buffalo, D'Youville College, West Seneca Central School, several Buffalo High Schools and Lewiston Schools, Holland Central School, Kenan Center, Lockport and the Niagara Falls Studio Guild. Around the country, Robert also taught at the El Portal Art School, Las Cruces, NM, and with the Southern Arizona Art Society, Tucson, AZ.

Robert exhibited regional, nationally & internationally with many successful solo & group exhibitions at several prestigious museums and galleries around the country and abroad. His first one-man exhibition was at the Bredemeier Gallery in Buffalo, NY in 1937. Over the course of his career he won numerous awards & fellowships for his artwork regionally and nationally to include two Guggenheim Fellowships (1946 and 1951), ten Gold & Silver Medals with the Buffalo Society of Artists (and other annual awards for oils & watercolors), Western New York Exhibitions (1940, 1944, 1947, 1950, & 1963), several prizes for watercolors at the Alabama Watercolor Society (1947), Art Institute of Chicago International (1948), New York State Exhibition (1951) Butler Institute of American Art (1953), Chautauqua National (1963 & 1972), Cooperstown National (1971), West Texas Watercolor Society (Judged by Millard Sheets, 1985), Watercolor Prize Douglas Arizona (1988), 2nd Prize Lake Placid National Show (1996) and many, many more.

Chronology:

1912- Born August 12, to Charles S. and Grace E. (née McGonegal) Blair, Buffalo, NY.

1931-1934- Studied drawing & sculpture at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA, under Guthrie, Burns & sculpture under Frederick Allen.

1933- Joined the Patteran Society.

1934- May 10, was introduced to the well known Western New York artist Charles E. Burchfield (American, 1893-1967) who offered support and both maintained a friendship that would last for years to come.

1934-46- Exhibited at the Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany, NY.

1937- First one-man exhibition at the Bredemeier Gallery, Buffalo, NY.

1938-55- Taught at the Buffalo Museum of Science, and the Art Institute of Buffalo, NY (except during the war years).

1939- Exhibited, solo show, The Morton Gallery, with a painting purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art), NYC. Exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum, NY.

1940- Exhibited at the Albright Art Gallery (prize), Buffalo, NY, the Morton Gallery, NYC. Exhibited, solo show, The Garret Club of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY.

1941- Exhibited, solo show, The Morton Gallery, NYC. Exhibited, solo show, Munson William Proctor Institute, Utica, NY.

1942- Exhibited solo exhibition at the Albright Art Gallery, and Buffalo Museum of Science, Buffalo, NY. February 14, Enlisted in the U.S. Army at the Fort Niagara Youngstown branch, and was later stationed at Fort McClellan, GA. Exhibited at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, and the Watercolor Society.

1943-46- Robert served in WWII in Belgium and Germany, in the 3rd Regiment from Fort McClellan, and the 17th Airborne Division, as well as the 82nd Airborne Division in Berlin as a sergeant. After previously being banned from his art supplies, his commanding officer General Liebel intervened and Blair was given permission to paint in the field, as long as it didn't interfere with his duties as a soldier. While stationed abroad, he also taught art in the U.S. Army with the Berlin Red Cross, as well as designed training aids for the Army. Most of his WWII paintings were later donated by Blair to the Burchfield Art Center, Buffalo, NY (now the Burchfield-Penney Art Center) after a solo exhibition of these works in 1985.

1942-44- Exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, IL.

1943- Before heading overseas during WWII, Blair had painted a religious mural in the 3rd Regiment Chapel at Fort McClellan, AL, and in August, in front of the finished mural he married Jeanette (née Kenney) Blair (American, 1922-), a fellow painter from the Art Institute of Buffalo and they raised three children; Jeanne E. (1945-1965), David F. (1948-) and Bruce A. (1951-).

1944- Exhibited, solo show, Albright Art Gallery (prize), war paintings shown, Buffalo, NY. Exhibited, solo show, Art Institute of Buffalo, war paintings shown, Buffalo, NY.

1945- Commissioned to do a Mural by the U.S. Army at their building in Berlin, Germany.

1946- Won Guggenheim fellowship.

1946 to 1949- He was the director of the Art Institute of Buffalo, NY.

circa 1946-50- Joined the Buffalo Print Club, Buffalo, NY.

1947- Exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC. Painted a large mural for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Buffalo, NY.

1948- Exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago (Watowsky prize), IL. Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA.

circa 1950's- Exhibited, solo show,Feragil Gallery, NYC.

1951- Won his second Guggenheim fellowship.

circa 1951- Commissioned to do a Mural for the Bethlehem Steel Company Plant in Buffalo, NY.

1953- Exhibited at the Butler Art Institute, Youngstown, OH, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art Watercolor National (first watercolor prize), NYC. Exhibited, solo show, "20 Years in Retrospect", Art Institute of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY.

1955- Taught at the Albright Art School, Buffalo, NY.

1955-71- Taught at the Buffalo State University, Buffalo, NY.

1962- Exhibited, solo show, New Masters Gallery, NYC.

1966- Sept. 12-30, exhibited, solo show (retrospective), "The Art of Robert N. Blair: A Community Tribute Exhibition", 73 works shown to include, watercolor, oils, egg tempera, ink, and sculpture, State University College at Buffalo, Upton Gallery, Buffalo, NY.

1968- Exhibited, solo show, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY.

1968- Exhibited, solo show, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY.

1969- Exhibited, solo show, Lakeview Hotel, Lakeview, NY.

1973- Exhibited, solo show, Gallery Without Walls, Buffalo, NY. Exhibited, two person show, "Husband and Wife Show", Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua, NY.

1976- Exhibited, September 18-October 15, solo show, "50 Year Retrospective" of paintings and drawings, Brian Art Galleries, 8070 Transit Road, Amherst, NY.

1977- Exhibited, solo show, University Club of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Exhibited, solo show, "To Ireland by Flying Boat", Roycroft Gallery, East Aurora, NY.

1983- Exhibited, solo show, Austin, TX.

1984- June 22-July 26, exhibited, group show, "COBRA II", Tonawanda Council on the Arts, curated by Tony DeCorse, Carnegie Cultural Center, 240 Goundry St., Tonawanda, NY.

1985- Exhibited, solo show, "A Soldiers Portfolio: War Paintings", Burchfield Art Center, Buffalo, NY.

1987- Exhibited, group show, “The Wayward Muse”, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY.

1988- Exhibited, solo show, Heidman Gallery, Buffalo, NY. Exhibited, solo show, Mary Bryan Gallery, Jefferson, VT.

1993- Exhibited, solo show, The Centre Gallery, Olean, NY. Exhibited, solo show, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, NY.

1996- Nov. 28-Dec. 18, exhibited, group show, "Bygone Buffalo: Paintings and Drawings by Early and Mid-20th Century Regionalists", Fanette Goldman/Carolyn Greenfield Art Gallery, Daeman College, 4380 Main St., Amherst, NY.

2003- June 15th, died at his home in Holland, NY.

2011- August-September, exhibition, solo show, "Robert N. Blair: Paintings & Drawings", exhibit curated by fellow artist & student and longtime friend Wendy Warner (American, June 22, 1926-), 52 works shown, The Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, New Castle, PA.

2017- November 25-December 30, exhibition, solo show, "Robert N. Blair (1912-2003): A Witness in Watercolor", 27 paintings shown including mostly watercolors and a few acrylics, Meibohm Fine Arts, East Aurora, NY.

2018- January 13-February 10, group show, "Original Originals": Vintage Drawings by WNY Artists, Meibohm Fine Arts, East Aurora, NY.

2019- April 27-June 1, exhibition, "Western New York Artists from the Collection of Bruce Allen Blair", fifty-four paintings showing, Springville Center for the Arts", Springville, NY.

Other Exhibitions: The Corcoran Gallery of Art Biennial, Washington, D.C.; National Gallery of Art; Washington Watercolors Show; National Academy Show; Butler Institute of American Art Annuals; Metropolitan Museum of Art Watercolor Exhibition, NYC; Brooklyn Museum Watercolor Exhibition; American Watercolor Society Annuals; Philadelphia Watercolor Society Show; the Watercolor Institute, Chicago, IL; Many other Western New York Exhibitions; Sister City Exhibit, Niagara Falls, NY (1973); the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts National Biennials for oils & watercolors, Philadelphia, PA; Art Institution of Chicago Internationals, Chicago, IL; Baltimore Museum of Art, MD; Colgate University (1939 & 1941); Alabama Polytechnic Institute; University of Alabama (1944); Birmingham Alabama National Show; Toledo Museum; Louisiana Watercolor Society Annuals; Dortmund, Germany; Kanuzawu, Japan;.

Articles & Published Illustrations: Captain and Mate, 1940; St. Lawrence Seaway, 1957; Illustrations for Ford Times Magazine, 1958-61; Illustrations for American Artist Magazine, November, 1966; illustrations for Jeannie's world, 1966; Vermont Life, Spring 1988; New York Times; New York Herald Tribune; Art News; Art Digest; and "Horses in the Rain", watercolor illustration published by the New York Graphic Society for the painting owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.

Books: Watercolorists at Work, by Meyer and Kent, Watson-Guptil Publication; Saint Lawrence Seaway, by Lowell Thomas; Jeannie's World, by Jeanne E. Blair, Henry Stewart Publication; Portrait of an Army, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC; Songs of the Wild West, Metropolitan Museum of Art; Art & Nature, Metropolitan Museum of Art; The Wayward Muse: A Historical Survey of Painting in Buffalo, Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY; Artists Speak, Harper Collins, Published, NYC; Who was Who in American Art, 1564-1975, by Peter Hastings Falk (editor), 1999; and Who's Who in American Art.

Memberships: The Patteran Society, Buffalo, NY; Associated Artist Organization of Western New York, Buffalo, NY; Watercolor League of Western New York, Buffalo, NY; American Watercolor Society; Buffalo Print Club, Buffalo, NY; and the Buffalo Society of Artists (BSA), Buffalo, NY.

Awards, Fellowships & Honors: Western New York Exhibitions (1940, 1944, 1947, 1950, & 1963); Two Guggenheim fellowships (1946 and 1951); 10 Gold & Silver Medals at the Buffalo Society of Artists Annuals, and several other BSA annual awards for oils & watercolors; Alabama Watercolor Society (1947); Silvermine Guild Exhibitions, Connecticut (1947-68); Art Institute of Chicago International (1948); New York State Exhibition (1951); Butler Institute of American Art (1953); (Prize, watercolor), Baltimore Water Color Club (1953); Chautauqua National (1963 & 1972); Cooperstown National (1971) First Prize (watercolor); White Mt. Art Festival (1973); Oil, acrylic & drawing prizes at 1st Hamburg Raceway Exhibit (1973); Watercolor award, Olean Art Society Annual (1973); West Texas Watercolor Society (Judged by Millard Sheets, 1985); Watercolor Prize Douglas Arizona (1988); Prize (watercolor), Cooperstown National, Cooperstown, NY (1989); Prize (watercolor), South West Watercolor Society (198?); and 2nd Prize Lake Placid National Show (1996).

Works: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, "Horses in the Rain", NYC; Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica, NY; Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH; Burchfield-Penney Art Center, 175 paintings and drawings of WWII and other paintings, Buffalo, NY; Charles Rand Penney Foundation, Buffalo, NY; State University College Library, Buffalo, NY; the Ford Motor Company Collection, ten paintings, Dearborn, MI; Manufacturers & Trust Company, Buffalo, NY; Quaker Oats Company, Chicago, IL; Franklin D. Roosevelt Collection of Marine Paintings; Bethlehem Steel Plant (mural, 1947), Buffalo, NY; Fort McClennan (murals), AL; Center of Military History, Washington, DC; U.S. Army (murals) Berlin, Germany; Erie County Savings Bank; First Bank of Rochester, NY; Colgate University; Xerox Company, Rochester, NY; Chemical Bank, Buffalo, NY; Hooker Chemical Company; Bryn Mawr Art Association; Dubuque Art Association; Lake View Hotel (mural); Village Green, and the Olean House (mural), Olean, NY.

For additional information on this artist or for other examples of his works, please visit the AskArt link

(Rewritten & compiled chronologically by Mark Strong of Meibohm Fine Arts, Inc., East Aurora, NY, www.meibohmfinearts.com, from sources: Too long to list here and are furnished upon request.)