Donald McIntyre (1923-2009)

1923 - 2009

Donald McIntyre was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire in 1923, to Scottish parents. He spent much of his childhood in North West Scotland which had a profound influence on him for the rest of his life.

Many might consider that McIntyre was a Welsh artist, due to him living in a cottage in a small village in the hills above Bangor, North Wales, with his artist wife, Lauren, from the 1950s.

His childhood was spent surrounded with the Scottish landscapes and he developed a palette and style based on the traditions of the Scottish Colourists and their followers, Cadell and Redpath among them. He studied painting under James Wright RSW at Garelochhead.

He studied dentistry at the Glasgow Dental Hospital and attended evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art. He graduated in dentistry and remained in the profession until he was 40, working in the Army and then as an Education Health Officer. It was at this time that he decided to change career and turn to painting full time. He was much encouraged and helped by Joan and Howard Roberts and their Cardiff Gallery.

His earlier works from 1960s to 1980s were often of an earthy palette and often would include a narrative with the inclusion of solitary figures creating some mystery within the painting. His later work is mostly in acrylic and with bolder colours, using figures more to create a scale to his landscapes. These works show the influence of the Scottish Colourists and time spent either in Cornwall, Wales ... show more

Donald McIntyre was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire in 1923, to Scottish parents. He spent much of his childhood in North West Scotland which had a profound influence on him for the rest of his life.

Many might consider that McIntyre was a Welsh artist, due to him living in a cottage in a small village in the hills above Bangor, North Wales, with his artist wife, Lauren, from the 1950s.

His childhood was spent surrounded with the Scottish landscapes and he developed a palette and style based on the traditions of the Scottish Colourists and their followers, Cadell and Redpath among them. He studied painting under James Wright RSW at Garelochhead.

He studied dentistry at the Glasgow Dental Hospital and attended evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art. He graduated in dentistry and remained in the profession until he was 40, working in the Army and then as an Education Health Officer. It was at this time that he decided to change career and turn to painting full time. He was much encouraged and helped by Joan and Howard Roberts and their Cardiff Gallery.

His earlier works from 1960s to 1980s were often of an earthy palette and often would include a narrative with the inclusion of solitary figures creating some mystery within the painting. His later work is mostly in acrylic and with bolder colours, using figures more to create a scale to his landscapes. These works show the influence of the Scottish Colourists and time spent either in Cornwall, Wales

or the summers on Iona. He made landscape studies in situ, finishing larger works back in the studio, but even these showed the vibrancy of painting en plein air with his lively palette.

Sir Kyffin Williams, RA said of his work “the influences and images of childhood are deep and lasting, and so it has been with Donald McIntyre for his boyhood was spent in the North West of Scotland among the blues of seas, sky and mountain and the rich green, saffron and umber of the small fields and hillsides. Here, unknowingly, his palette was formed and when in later life he came to Wales he viewed the landscape, not as a Welshman, but as a Scot who painted in the free exuberant spirit of his fellow countrymen and with a deep knowledge and appreciation of the best of European painting. Mentally as well as professionally Donald McIntyre is a true artist.”

This painting of Market Day, Brecey is acrylic on card, showing bold colours and figures going about their business. Brecey is a commune in the Manche Department of Normandy, North West France.

It is not far from Mont St Michel and as McIntyre has written himself on the reverse of the painting, that it is near Cherbourg. To this day, there is still a thriving Friday market in the central square of Brecey.

Donald McIntyre was a member of the Pastel Society, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, Royal Society of Marine Artists and for many years until his death in 2009, a member of the Royal Cambrian Academy. He had several solo exhibitions including the Royal Academy, London, The Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy and the Royal Scottish Academy. His work is held in many public collections, notably the Late HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the National Library of Wales, Arts Council of Wales, the Kirkaldy Museum and Art Gallery and the USA Embassy in London.