WINSTON MEGORAN FRSA 1913 - 1971

Marine Artist

In Pacific Waters 1945

Winston Megoran was born in Newcastle on Tyne in 1913. By the mid nineteen thirties he had begun to make his mark, exhibiting his paintings and etchings nationwide including, after the war, at the Royal Academy and often alongside other famous twentieth century marine artists including Charles Pears, Norman Wilkinson, Frank Mason and Montague Dawson. (See 1946 catalogue for the Royal Society of British Artists Galleries.)

Winston Megoran's paintings also appeared in a wide variety of magazines including the Yachting Monthly, The Navy, The Sphere, Pictorial Education, The Fleet, The Trident, War Weekly, Boy's Own Paper, the Eagle and many others. His arresting and colourful book jacket designs were employed by many of the major publishing houses including for that attractive series The Mariner's Library issued by Rupert Hart-Davis.

Winston Megoran provided all the paintings for the Puffin Book of Ships in 1952.

During the Second World War Winston Megoran became a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force and was seconded to the Admiralty in London to provide illustrations for official publications and ship recognition books. Ranging from British warships and merchant fleets to Chinese fishing craft these accurately drawn pictures and silouettes from varying angles of view ran into many thousands and, doubtless, helped the RAF to avoid bombing the wrong ships!

Sunshine and Canvas 1946

Founding editor of the Yachting Monthly and prolific author on yachts and sailing, Maurice Griffiths, said " Winston's wash and line drawings and his arresting cover pictures became great favourites with Yachting Monthly readers. He showed such an uncanny flair for representing yachts that owners could scarcely believe that he did not know their boats intimately but had worked only from a small photo or perhaps a rough editorial sketch!"

Poet Laureate John Masefield said "Winston Megoran's paintings show a most admirable feeling for the poise and movement of ship and boat"

Winston Megoran painting in his studio and sailing aboard his yacht the Cresta

After the war Winston Megoran moved to Weymouth with his family where he painted in his studio overlooking Portland Harbour until his sudden death in 1971 at the age of 57.

1946 Catalogue for the Navy League's Naval Art Exhibition

Winston Megoran Remembered by Maurice Griffiths

Rupert Hart Davis Mariners Library Book Jackets by Winston Megoran 08/03/05

If you own a Winston Megoran painting, etching or drawing or are thinking of buying one, do let us know at kc@pskc.freeserve.co.uk

Winston Megoran's pictures are mostly in private collections and galleries now but they do come up from time to time at sales rooms nationwide where they are eagerly sought.

Visits since 03/01/04