For some reason the airbrush has never been seen as a fine art tool - perhaps because it doesn't come in contact with the canvas or paper. I think SFphotoarts is dismissive not least because Blair is dismissive of photography as an art, arguing that it's a mere mechanical recording. Then again, if you click on the 'paintings' link it's odd (to me) that 90% of his work is militaria, a surprisngly narrow choice of subject.

Of course, while many things re impossible to photograph for one reason or another, visual effects artists and compositors specialize in making it credible - as someone with an interest in the latter, I find his airbrush approach extremely interesting.