John Wynne Hopkins was born in 1954 in Dafen, Llanelli, Wales and his family emmigrated to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) when he was five weeks old. He was brought up in Africa but returned to Wales to be educated at Llandovery College, Cardiff College of Art and Trinity College Carmarthen, where he trained as an art teacher. Taught in the 'Beacon School', Buckinghamshire before returning to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). He completed a regular army commissioning course at the Rhodesian Army, School of Infantry, Gwelo and served in the 1st Battalion Rhodesian African Rifles. His first military commissions were produced at the height of the Rhodesian bush war and were for the 1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry, and the 1st Battalion Rhodesian African Rifles before he joined the Rhodesian Army. John returned to Wales in 1982 and for many years has painted wildlife, military and aviation scenes and enjoys painting Welsh landscape in plein air. Attained a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1988. For many years John was Head of the Art Department at Pen Y Bryn Senior Special School until taking early retirement to paint professionally. John Wynne Hopkins was commissioned by Cranston Fine Arts over a period of several years to produce a number of paintigns including a series of the British Army in Northern Ireland and has also produced numerous paintings for the Army Air Corps and in many cases numerous paintings for single regiments. These commissions have also meant him travelling to a number of trouble spots in the world including Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo. His commissions have included, 1 Regiment Army Air Corps., 4 Regt Army Air Corps, 7 Regt Army Air Corps., 9 Regt Army Air Corps, 5 Regt Army Air Corps (Northern Ireland) , R Sqn 22 SAS, A Coy 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales, The 1st Battalion the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, 2nd Battalion The Rifle Regiment, 1 Transport Regiment Royal Logistics Corps and the 4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. In 2006 he completed a commission for 9 Regiment Army Air Corps of the latest attack helicopter the Apache AH1. 2009 the 4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards commissioned a painting of their latest MC winner Sgt C.P.Richards MC, Charge of the Knights, Basra Iraq, 4th April 2008. In 2010 Col John Waddy of Arnhem fame commissioned a painting of the drop of the 4th Parachute Brigade, Gienkle Heide, 18th September 1944, Arnhem, during Operation Market Garden. John spent a week with Col John Waddy and the Military Academy course looking at the battlefield. At one stage John was mistaken for Directing Staff on the course but the old soldier had plenty to say. John was invited back to Arnhem in 2011. Military Aviation Artist John Wynne Hopkins was invited back to Arnhem for the ceremonies to do with the momentous battles of the 1st Airborne Division, during Operation Market Garden, in 1944. At a presentation and showing of the latest documentary DVD of the drop of the 4th Parachute Brigade at Ginkle Heath, 18th September 1944. The presentation took place at Cinemec, the cinema in Ede. Images of his painting were used on the cover of the DVD and the huge display boards on the cinema. John was asked to present framed copies of his latest Arnhem print to the Burgomaster of Ede, Mr Van der Kemp and the Commanding Officer of the 11th Airmobile Brigade, Bgen van Wiggen. Copies of the print were then presented to a number of Arnhem Veterans of the battle who were present. The prints depict the drop of the 4th Parachute Brigade on Ginkle Heath, on the 18th September 1944 and was commissioned by Col John Waddy who was the Officer Commanding B Company 156th Parachute Battalion during that momentous drop and subsequent battles. John took this opportunity to do more research for his next large painting commission for Brigadier Mike Dauncey DSO, a famous Glider Pilot and Arnhem Veteran, who is going to present the painting to the Glider Pilot Regiment Association. 2012 should see John painting in Helmand province, Afghanistan with the British Army, sketching and painting the daily life of soldiers and their ongoing operations, gathering information for future paintings of this campaign.

John Wynne Hopkins with the painting Full Flaps.	John Wynne Hopkins presenting framed prints of Ginkel Heide.
John Wynne Hopkins at Ginkel Heide, with Col John Waddy.