In 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Blair began what was to become a series of 19 paintings expressing the horrific conditions being suffered by the Ukrainian people. In 2024 he donated the series to the Embassy of Ukraine, Ottawa, and subsequently had them , February 2026.
Blair was born in Almonte, Ont., in 1951. He attended The Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto, graduating with honours from the Fine Arts program in 1974. An interest in education took him to Queen’s, where he graduated with honours from the Technological Studies Program in 1984.
In 1986, he was unanimously elected to The Ontario Society of Artists in Toronto, receiving an award of merit from the OSA for a drawing entitled CC 2000. Courses in art history followed later at Carleton University. In 2006, his work received a strong review by The National Gallery of Canada.