Sion McIntyre (Born 1975)
1975
Sion McIntyre was born in Bangor in 1975 and grew up in the village of Menai Bridge, Anglesey, on the banks of the Menai straits.
He studied Fine Art at Bangor College, where Peter Prendergast was one of his teachers. Prendergast had studied at the Slade School of Fine Art under Sir William Coldstream and Francis Bacon. Sion recalls that he was a very stern and intense lecturer with very high standards, constantly seeking improvement. He recalls he was taught to focus on his subject matter and not to be afraid to be bold and vibrant in his work.
His grandfather was Donald McIntyre who was born in Leeds but spent most of his life in North Wales until his death in 2009. Sion spent much of his time with his Grandfather and his circle of friends which included Kyffin Williams and Eddie Forest. They went on many sketching trips together during which Donald McIntyre encouraged his Grandson, recognising his talent. These trips and his grandfather’s circle of artist friends would have a great influence on Sion’s work.
Sion recollects “He (Donald McIntyre) would rise at 6am every morning and after a quick breakfast, would head out painting and sometimes would pick me up on the way so that we could paint together all day. His favourite locations were along the Anglesey coastline”. Donald was very enthusiastic about his art and would engage Sion in many conversations and stories as they painted alongside each other, producing similar paintings on site, at the
Sion McIntyre was born in Bangor in 1975 and grew up in the village of Menai Bridge, Anglesey, on the banks of the Menai straits.
He studied Fine Art at Bangor College, where Peter Prendergast was one of his teachers. Prendergast had studied at the Slade School of Fine Art under Sir William Coldstream and Francis Bacon. Sion recalls that he was a very stern and intense lecturer with very high standards, constantly seeking improvement. He recalls he was taught to focus on his subject matter and not to be afraid to be bold and vibrant in his work.
His grandfather was Donald McIntyre who was born in Leeds but spent most of his life in North Wales until his death in 2009. Sion spent much of his time with his Grandfather and his circle of friends which included Kyffin Williams and Eddie Forest. They went on many sketching trips together during which Donald McIntyre encouraged his Grandson, recognising his talent. These trips and his grandfather’s circle of artist friends would have a great influence on Sion’s work.
Sion recollects “He (Donald McIntyre) would rise at 6am every morning and after a quick breakfast, would head out painting and sometimes would pick me up on the way so that we could paint together all day. His favourite locations were along the Anglesey coastline”. Donald was very enthusiastic about his art and would engage Sion in many conversations and stories as they painted alongside each other, producing similar paintings on site, at the
same time.
They share the same distinctive way with colour and confidence of brush stroke but Sion has his own energy and boldness with the brush, capturing the salty sea spray, the white washed cottages dotted along the shore, the light, reflection, energy of all he observes along the coast line and inner pathways and country lanes. One can see the changing light and atmosphere in this painting with two fishing boats moored on the shoreline with waves surging in and swirling clouds above with strong and bold brushstrokes illustrating the scene before him. Between his teacher, Prendergast, Kyffin Williams and his grandfather, Sion learned to appreciate and love the subject matter that was right on his doorstep. The places they loved to go together were Porth Dafach, Porth Cwyfan and Aberdesach. Both like to complete the majority of the work on the spot which is extremely challenging with both light and cloud formations changing constantly.
As Sion recounts “When I paint I feel as though I’m keeping my grandfather’s memory alive”…
“I still visit and paint at the locations I went to with my grandfather and Kyffin and the connection I have to both of them adds, I feel, another dimension to my art”.
1 ITEM