VALE JOHN WINCH (1944-2007)

It is with great sadness that we farewell John Winch, who died at home on Wednesday 28 March. John was a much loved member of the children’s book community and he will be greatly missed. His warmth, generosity and enthusiasm touched all who met him.

Run, Hare, Run!, the latest children's book by renowned painter John Winch, tells the story of one of the world's great paintings by Albrecht Durer, an appropriate choice for an artist and printmaker whose work is represented in galleries and museums around the world, including the Art Gallery of NSW, the National Gallery in Canberra, the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris.

 
John has worked in many artistic media – painting, printmaking, sculpture and ceramics, and his children's books represent this diversity of interest.  His books include One Sunday, with text by Libby Gleeson, The Old Man Who Loved to Sing, Leonardo, Pigeon of Siena and The Millennium Book of Myth and Story, with text by Maurice Saxby. Run, Hare, Run! has recently been shortlisted for the Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards.

 
John Winch studied at the National Art School in Sydney and then spent time teaching art in schools in Australia and overseas, but became a full time artist in the 1980's.  He has spent much of his time painting at historic Stuart Town in western NSW where the rural landscape influenced many of his children's picture books. John and his wife, artist Madeleine Winch, have recently set up an artist residency program, the Stuart Town Studios (www.stuarttownstudios.com).

 
John is an experience presenter who is happy to speak to a wide range of groups, from the youngest kindergarten groups through to primary and high school and is also available to speak at professional development sessions or conferences, for teachers and librarians.  For further information please go to John's website

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