Mabel Gear (1898-1987)

Mabel Gear (1898-1987) was a painter of birds, dogs and cats, and many were used to illustrate postcards and also Valentine cards. She was born in Ashby, Suffolk the youngest of three daughters of Lucas George Gear and his wife Annie Margaret née McJannet. She studied at the Colchester School of Art under Septimus Power (1877-1951) and later at Herkomer's Art School in Bushey, Hertfordshire. In 1917 she passed an examination at Torquay School of Art and Evening Schools. A decorative painter of birds and animals and elected an associate of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters 1925 and a full member the following year, and a full member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1927. Exhibiting in 1929 'Stop Flirting' Gear exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy including in 1925 'Birds of a Feather'. In 1927 she exhibited her work for Raphael Tuck & Sons at Moorfield House, London.  She married in the City of London in 1928, Ivor Isaac John/James Symes (1875-1941), who was also an artist, but continued using her maiden name. In 1934 the Duke of York (later King George VI) and Duchess of York used a miniature of her 'Sympathy' for their Christmas card.

Gear exhibited at the Goupil Gallery 1, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool 8,  Royal Academy 11, Royal Society of British Artists 2, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours 10, Royal Institute of Oil Painters 25, Royal Scottish Academy 1 and the Society of Women Artists 3.