Philippa BLAIR Obituary

Philippa was my teacher at the Santa Reparata School of Art in Florence, Italy in August, 2009. We became fast friends and continued our friendship after returning to California. I visited her and John at her home and studio in San Pedro. She was such a prolific and positive and energetic artist! I credit her with pushing me out of the world of realism and into a world of freer expression. I have a photo of her in her studio posted in my studio. We were the same age and felt a connection there as well as through our art. Today, I began an email to her and Googled to see if she had new work online. She has been such a positive force in my life that I couldn't imagine she wasn't still painting. With deep sadness, Kathy Birdsong, Healdsburg, California

Just saw this today, memories of teenage years and her brother John who was a friend of my brother Stuart..
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Tena koe Philippa Moe mai, Moe mai, Moe mai ra Rangatira Philippa Blair.

I first met Philippa in Los Angeles in the mid 90´s. We became fast friends and shared our love of art. Philippa tutored me for a couple of years at her home in San Pedro,CA on weekends. We would sometimes pack a picnic and head for the port of Los Angeles and sketch the afternoon away together and sharing many laughs. I am deeply saddened that New Zealand has lost such a prolific, life loving artist. She is one of New Zealand´s great artists. I will miss her terribly .

Since our twenties our lives have been lived in different parts of the world but there has always been a connection from our time together in school and from having been a bridesmaid at Pip´s wedding. I will have strong memories of Pip´s friendship, her joyous enthusiasm and of course her art. We do hope that Pip´s family find comfort in knowing how many are thinking of you at this very sad time. Our condolences and deepest sympathy.

To dearest Philippa, I still remember the first time I meet you in Arch Hill and watching you paint in your garden studio , it was amazing full of love and energy. Thank You much love to all Stephen

Philippa was a dear friend over the decades and I can still hear her laugh as she´d say come on over now . It was always a special time to be in her company and I´ll miss her enormously

A school colleague from Rangi ruru.
I have 2 paintings...one from an early exhibition at CAS gallery in Christchurchin about 1975 of Mama earth arising ..painted while listening to Pink Floyd..and another

painted while driving around Banks Peninsula approx 2015 bought at an exhibition in Nelson. I had a long chat to her then which was very special to me. My thoughts are with her family. She was a special friend at school.

So sad to hear of your passing ... a wonderfully kind & giving spirit. Philippa & John, you were so very generous to myself, Gail & our young family all those years ago. Never forgotten. Condolences to family & friends.

May your many happy memories help to build a kinder future for us all. Blessings.
R.I.P. x

I have many fun, fond and loving memories of my sister-in-law Pippa. We shared special times in Taos, Los Angeles, Christchurch and Auckland. She was a vivacious spirit with creative talent, and keenly intuitive with such a big heart and brilliant laugh. Her brother Douglas cherished her. Godspeed Pippa on your next journey! I pray that her daughters, family and friends in New Zealand are blessed with comfort, peace and loving memories. My heart and love are with you. Healing warm hugs from New Mexico.

Very sorry to hear of Phillapa's death. She was a dear friend when I lived in Auckland in the early 80s but we lost contact when she moved to California.
She was a lovely person and didnt deserve such a difficult death.

Rest in Peace Pippa. It's difficult to comprehend you won't be around anymore.
The last time we saw you we spent the afternoon together and you took a photo of Joy and I in your studio. We had walked through your John's untouched studio and you were still mourning his loss. Back in the mid-70's John Maynard once remarked to me that after meeting Pippa he had to go home and lie down, he was so exhausted. Her energy was that dazzling.
I got to know Pippa in New York in the early 80's and we've kept in touch ever since. I have all the fabulous prints you sent me and I am still planning to buy a bigger house with more wall space so I can display them all properly.
All the superlatives I can think of to describe your talent, your spirit, your generous laughter and love cannot match the loss I feel, though I haven't seen you in 4 years. If only heaven would send her back to earth saying she has too much energy and the angels can't handle her and she's filling up the place with all her colorful paintings and prints.
My condolences to Alice and Taisha and her family and friends.

Full respect and aroha to you Philippa. You are a dear friend, a kindred spirit & an artist whose boundless energy and works captured the full gamut of human emotions; Your bouyant presence will be dearly missed but your gifts, full of life's breadth will be treasured and lasting. Rest in peace, your spirit now free to fly to its source. Heartfelt condolences to you Alice, Taisha and the whanau. Philippa's legacy and influence will go on, and on.

Sad to read of the passing of Pip - Friend, class-mate and talented lady. Deepest sympathy to her family.

BLAIR, Philippa. On behalf of our artists, collectors, friends and supporters, we acknowledge and mourn the passing of Philippa Blair, a vigorous and fearless painter and an inspiration to all who knew her. In addition to her many, many achievements, we celebrate her unique vision, her razor sharp intellect, her boundless curiosity, and her steadfast commitment to her art. We will dearly miss our daily dose of energy and her wondrously elliptical conversation. We can take some solace in the incredible legacy Philippa leaves behind. We may gather ourselves in her Cloaks, fold back the pages of her Heart Books, and trace her deft and fluid marks as they spiral off the canvas and into the cosmos along with her ever questing spirit. With love and eternal respect, Rex and Jennifer, Orexart.