Joan Brosnahan, well known Northwest artist for more than 45 years, died suddenly on July 23, 2011 at the age of 87. She was born April 5, 1924 in Vancouver, B.C. to Albert and Jeanette Wright. She was married at an early age and moved to Southern California, where she fell in love with the warm climate of the south. Her first marriage ended in divorce, but she soon found the love of her life, a young Navy fighter pilot, James Brosnahan. They were married in Meridian, Miss., where Jim was the Commanding Officer of VT-7, a training squadron. Jim and Joan moved to Oak Harbor 45 years ago.
Joan began her love of art as a young girl with her pencil sketches and she began to develop her talents while living in San Diego. She comes from a long line of talented artists including her grandfather, who was a stained glass artist in Nottingham, England. In recent years, she developed a unique, unlimited style that is widely known under the signature of “Broz.” Joan utilized varied styles in her work and demonstrated her ability and imagination in combining traditional watercolor with a variety of mixed media.
More recently, Joan Brosnahan had developed a mixed media technique that has rapidly become popular. Her art work appears in a number of galleries on Whidbey Island, including Garry Oak Gallery in Oak Harbor, Penn Cove Gallery in Coupeville, Cornet Bay Gallery near Deception Pass and Langley’s Whidbey Art Gallery. Joan also taught painting classes at Oak Harbor Senior Center. One of the newest techniques she was developing was hot wax designs.
Joan was a member of the NWWA, Island Art Council, Whidbey Allied Artists, Skagit Valley Art Association and Women in the Arts. She had been the recipient of awards for her work, including Regional Awards, Texaco Award, Shell Oil, Nalley Award, Jody Bergsma Award, David Painting Award, ASG Printing Award, and Poster Artist Award for the LaConner Art Show.
Joan held one woman shows at the Santa Rosa Gallery, Calif., Silverdale Lodge, Wash., Stone Gallery, Whidbey, Federal Way Courthouse, Fine Art Gallery, Wash., and Knudsen Gallery, Federal Way.
Joan loved life and everything it brought to her. She was a flashy, glamorous lady, who reveled in driving around in her black Camaro. She was a featured artist at the Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival for the past 45 years. For many years she served as a model for various groups.
Joan had a passion for world travel with family and friends. Regardless of which country, Joan was a walking encyclopedia of information about the area they were visiting. For many years, Joan carried out the annual squadron reunions for Jim’s squadron, even after his death.
Joan is survived her family, daughter Linda MacDonald and husband Bernie and their son Jaime of Kelowna, B.C.; daughter Lisa Rogers and husband Hazen Gauthier of Calgary, Alberta; and son Michael Brosnahan and wife Wendy and their daughter Briana of Ponderay, Idaho; and by two step-grandchildren, Nena and Robert Cramer. She was preceded in death by her husband, CDR James J. Brosnahan, USN (Ret) in 2005 and by two sisters.
A celebration of a life well-lived will be held on Thursday, July 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. The family and friends would like to extend a heartfelt invitation to celebrate a well-loved lady. Please bring your stories, poems or recollections to share and please wear your favorite outfit in true Joan style.
Private family graveside services were held at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville, where Joan was buried with her husband James Brosnahan. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, Oak Harbor. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com.
