Did You Know?

Don Winton and his twin Brother Ross was born on June 2, 1919 and they had a older brother, Bruce, who was 4 years older.

When the boys were 5 years old in 1924 there mother went to the local Govan Saskatchewan General Store and bought several boxes of oil clay and started them on their journey. Don indicated "I knew since I was 5 that I wanted to be a sculptor. I just always loved working with clay and molding things."

When they settled in Los Angeles in 1927 they attended a church named Angelus Temple and became well known to the congregation when they molded most of the animals in the bible, in full color. The animals were displayed in church gift store for a period of time and this is where they had their first art show.

At the age of 12 years old while in junior high Don sculpted a bust of George Washington that was so good that it was displayed as part of the Centennial Exhibit in the Smithsonian Institute

The industrious twins put on plays in the school auditorium that consisted of 10 kids hand picked by the brothers and one of their picks for a bit part was Billy Beadle who we all know today as William Holden.

In 1933 at the age of 14, Don started John Muir Technical High School and plunged into athletics including, football, track, and basketball. One of their friends and team mate was the great Jackie Robinson.

While a junior in high school Don and his brothers began making and selling ceramic figurines similar to the Disney characters. By their senior year they had a very profitable business. It was so successful that Disney management felt threatened and sent the boys a cease and desist letter. Walt Disney heard of their plight and told his attorneys to leave them alone. Don stated "Walt was very supportive and I'll always be grateful for that.

In his senior year of high school Don started sculpting for Bush Gardens, a popular tourist spot. He sculpted Garden Gnomes and other animals for the gift shop. In 1937 Don and Ross formed their own company jointly with the gift shop employee Helen Burke. Thus the name Helen-Burke. The boys worked at manufacturing while Helen worked at decorating. In 1938 the boys broke away from Helen Burke and formed their own company TWIN WINTON STUDIOS.

From 1938 until 1941 Twin Winton manufactured a small line of animals which included squirrels, bunnies, chipmunks, and cats, all 3 to 4 inches high. The larger animals were very popular but limited in production because of space limitations in the kiln firing. These pre war animals were decorated black and white.

In 1942 Don and Ross enlisted for military service and all operations and manufacting were suspended for the duration of World War II. He was discharged in late 1946 and returned to Pasadena California and the family business and continued perfecting his sculpting skills.

In 1947 Don convinced the Tournament of Roses committee that he was the man to Sculpt a bust of the Rose Queen. Dons pick of a beautiful petite blond by the name of Norma Christopher did indeed become the 1947 Rose Queen. That year the Grand Marshal was none other than Bob Hope and he was good friends with Don and Norm. In 1948 Don married the Rose Queen and Bob Hope gave the newlyweds a silver punch bowls and matching candelabra.

In 1947 the Hillbilly line was introduced and was very successful. The line was inspired by the Paul Webb cartoon series. The Hillbilly line fad lasted about three years until 1950.

In 1950 the Children's Album Figurines were introduced which looked similar to the very popular Hummel figurines. This line was not very successful and lasted only a year.

The wood finish on the very popular cookie jars and accessories was developed in the early 1950s and was a main stay until the company closed in 1977-1978.

Don has created and designed well over 15,000 items in his lifetime. Some of these designs are the Emmy award, The Academy of Country Music Award, the prestigious basketball John Wooden Award, The Mickey Mouse, and Snoopy phone plus many famous Trophies and Busts.

Don was a freelance sculptor from 1952 until his death and sculpted for many of the major companies. Some of these companies include Hanna Barbara, Hamm's Beer, Rexall Drugs, Frito Company, General Electric, Gerber Toys, Bobs Big Boy, Smithsonian Museum, L.A.Times, Kool Aid, Mattel Toy Company, Max Factor, Chevy Dealers, Chicken of the Sea, Coca-Cola. Colgate, United Way, Van de Kamps, Nine Lives, Disneyland, Reagan Foundation and Library to name just a few.

Twin Winton produced over 200 different animal figurines which ranged from one inch in height to over twelve inches in height. Production of the animals stopped in April of 1953.

Don has sculpted for Disney from 1954 until his death. He stated "the first thing I did was a model of the Castle, it was before Disneyland was built. It was a playpen type of thing about four feet in diameter and made out of plastic. I've done all of their characters over the years, even Steamboat Willie".

Don Winton passed away on March 7 2007 at the age of 87 from heart disease and Norma passed away February 27, 2016 at the age of 87. God Bless you Don and Norma Winton and may you both rest in peace.