Hilda Mary Harvey 1890 - 1982

Painter, notably of portraits, printmaker and miniaturist on ivory. She was daughter of the artist John Rabone Harvey, her older brother being Herbert Johnson Harvey. Attended Birmingham School of Art for about six years from age of 15, then worked for firm of Birmingham silversmiths, closed down by World War I, the owners being German. She joined London couture house Mechinka, studying part-time, then full-time at Slade School of Fine Art under Henry Tonks. In London was courted by the artist Gilbert Spencer. After going with another artist to Paris in early 1920s and catching paratyphoid fever she was advised not to winter in England so lived in south of France for two years. After her return she married Charles Meeke of Birmingham and had one son, Harvey, before divorcing him. After periods in Cornwall and Llangollen during World War II she returned to St Ives where she continued to paint until 1950. Showed at NEAC, RA, Paris Salon and RBSA, being elected an associate in 1933.