Here Now - Local artist finds a way to connect with others
Photo by Mike Spencer
Rachard McIntyre, 31, is a man with Asperger’s syndrome, who creates hand drawn portraits and sells his art at the Riverfront Farmer’s Market.
Published: Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, February 4, 2011 at 9:20 p.m.
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Rachard McIntyre 31, has Asperger’s syndrome, a type of autism. But don’t define him by his disability.
McIntyre is an artist. He sells his works at Wilmington’s Riverfront Farmer’s Market every other Saturday during the season, which begins April 2.
“In Memory of the Twin Towers” is a series of five poster-sized works of the New York towers destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, drawn with the handwritten names of the victims.
“Word Play and the Eiffel Tower” depicts the famous Paris landmark in facts and sentences about the tower. It’s beautiful to look at and interesting to read.
McIntyre has books filled with pencil drawings of famous people: Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner, Jackie Robinson, David Copperfield, Mr. T. He works from photographs but gives life to the portraits by bringing out the personalities of his subjects.
“The more he draws, the better he gets,” said Carrie McIntyre, his proud mom.
She gave copies of the “Twin Towers” set to Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., and Rep. John Lewis, D- Ga., a civil rights pioneer who visited Wilmington on Jan. 30.
Rachard lives at home and works at Food Lion.
He loves lying on the floor doing his artwork.
“I feel more intelligent,” he said. “I feel that I can do anything, no matter what it takes. It makes me feel strong.”
Asperger’s is similar to high-fuctioning autism. Autism is a brain disorder that makes communicating and interacting with others difficult. It’s less severe in people with Asperger’s or high-functioning autism.
Carrie credits an innovative public school program in Vineland, N.J., with helping put her son on a positive track.
Rachard McIntyre 31, has Asperger’s syndrome, a type of autism. But don’t define him by his disability.
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McIntyre is an artist. He sells his works at Wilmington’s Riverfront Farmer’s Market every other Saturday during the season, which begins April 2.
“In Memory of the Twin Towers” is a series of five poster-sized works of the New York towers destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, drawn with the handwritten names of the victims.
“Word Play and the Eiffel Tower” depicts the famous Paris landmark in facts and sentences about the tower. It’s beautiful to look at and interesting to read.
McIntyre has books filled with pencil drawings of famous people: Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner, Jackie Robinson, David Copperfield, Mr. T. He works from photographs but gives life to the portraits by bringing out the personalities of his subjects.
“The more he draws, the better he gets,” said Carrie McIntyre, his proud mom.
She gave copies of the “Twin Towers” set to Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., and Rep. John Lewis, D- Ga., a civil rights pioneer who visited Wilmington on Jan. 30.
Rachard lives at home and works at Food Lion.
He loves lying on the floor doing his artwork.
“I feel more intelligent,” he said. “I feel that I can do anything, no matter what it takes. It makes me feel strong.”
Asperger’s is similar to high-fuctioning autism. Autism is a brain disorder that makes communicating and interacting with others difficult. It’s less severe in people with Asperger’s or high-functioning autism.
Carrie credits an innovative public school program in Vineland, N.J., with helping put her son on a positive track.
Carrie grew up in Burgaw and Rocky Point. She was working in Brooklyn, N.Y., for a company that eventually became part of Verizon when Rachard was born. She moved to southern New Jersey, enduring the long commute to give Rachard a better life.
Early on, teachers noticed Rachard was different. Carrie said a team of five people observed him, including a neurologist, a psychologist and a social worker. They’d sit in his classes or watch him on the playground interacting with students.
After some intensive one-on-one tutoring, he was “mainstreamed,” put back in a classroom where he did well.
He discovered he was good at art at an early age, maybe 4 or 5 years old.
Rachard said his teachers “were amazed the first time they saw me doing it.”
Carrie said his second-grade teacher called wanting to show her Rachard’s work.
At the Farmer’s Market, Carrie said, people marvel at the meticulously drawn architectural works and the portraits.
Rachard urges other people with challenges not to become discouraged.
“If you have a dream and want to pursue it, don’t ever give up,” he advised. “Trust in God that he will provide you what you need.”
To arrange a viewing or learn more about Rachard McIntyre’s work, call (910) 794-4048 or
To tell others how to find the article above in the news other than clicking the link at the top, which also enables viewing of his photo and some of his art, have them go to
www.wilmingtonstarnews.com/photos After getting onto the site, they must search for “local autism artist.” My cousin Carrie here reached out to me today for help. Please help us spread the word since this year is the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks and they are already being flooded with orders since this article broke. In addition to putting our own heads together, we are requesting tips on making it big in the art world. They will be coming up here to NJ promoting his art soon. We would deeply appreciate you letting us know of any art shows, galleries, etc. he might become part of...
