Elva Blacker, celebrated war-time artist, signed ink sketch of an RAF pilot, dated 1945: artist exhibited at the Royal Academy et al

Eva Blacker studied painting at the Sutton and Cheam School of Art and at the Slade School of Fine Art. She exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Society of Miniaturists, the National Portrait Gallery and at the Royal Scottish Academy.

She is renowned for her portraits of RAF personnel during World War II. The RAF Museum holds most of her works.

Based on its date, this sketch is possibly of a serving officer from No 91 Squadron at RAF Manston where Blacker was serving with No. 6091 Servicing Echelon which provided the ground support for the Flight.

Blacker served as a Blood Transfusion Service driver as war began, then joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force in 1942 as an Aircraftwoman Motor Transport Driver. Based subsequently at Fighter Command at RAF Biggin Hill she used down time to sketch colleagues in watercolour or pencil.

14.5 x 11 cm

Nominated Charity

Reiver Vintage is raising awareness of the work of Journey Enterprises, a small charity supporting adults with complex learning disability to lead active, inclusive and fulfilling lives. The Charity has four day centres which help people with learning disability learn life and work skills. Its day centres are in Blyth and Hexham (Northumberland), Newcastle upon Tyne and Bishop Auckland (County Durham).

The Charity is one of 15 organisations chosen nationally by the House of Lords as examples of 'best practice' (see https://www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/organisations/journey-enterprises)

If you would like to support the Charity's work please visit:

https://journeyenterprises.enthuse.com/profile

https://www.journeyenterprises.co.uk/