Julia Anne Zweerts-Brownfoot passed away January 12, 2012 with her loving family and friends attending. She was born August 12, 1933 in Luton, England to Maurice and Margaret Brownfoot (Carruthers).
Julia's father was a commercial artist doing illustrations for Vogue and used Julia as a model. He was called into service during WWII in the British Royal Navy. As a consequence Julia spent little time in any one place and grew up in boarding schools. Julia studied at the Royal College of Art becoming a 3rd generation artist in her family. One of her instructors, a Dutchman named Arnold Zweerts, became enamored of her.
Arnold 34 and Julia 19 were married on April 7, 1953 in Kew Gardens, Surrey England. In June they moved to Amsterdam. In 1955 Jan was born. They lived in a 7th story artist garret were Julia coped with learning Dutch and cooking on a one burner stove while keeping multi-course dinners warm under the bed linens. Julia's cooking was well known among friends and family which induced many travel plans to her kitchen over the years.
Arnold and Julia immigrated in 1957 to Joliet IL. In 1958, Philip, was born then in 1962, Judi arrived. In 1963 they moved back to Bussum, Netherlands. 1965 they returned to the US to Downers Grove IL. Julia volunteered for the Arts in the Schools program, taught night school ceramics while producing vivid silk screen prints, intricate watercolors and hand thrown pots glazed and fired in the basement.
The entire family packed (5 people, 2 dogs, art supplies, 2 tents, cooking gear and sleeping bags) into a small car and traveled to Mexico in early 1970s to further their education at the Instituto de Allende in San Miguel de Allende, this sparked profound changes in both artists work.
1975 found them moving to an old schoolhouse in Postville, Wisconsin. There Julia enjoyed painting watercolors of rustic barns and the beautiful rolling hills.
Over the years they visited many destinations across the US, Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, England, Netherlands, Italy and Venice. In her younger years she loved to sail, hike, bike, camp and ice skate.
In 1985 Arnold and Julia once again packed up and moved to Corbett, Oregon where they lived for a year before finally settling in Hood River in 1986. Wonderful art work sprang forth from Julia in such diverse arts as precious metal jewelry, cloisonné, watercolors, paper sculpting, ceramics and mosaics. Julia was also well known for her clothing that she intricately stitched with ornate designs. In 1993 Julia became "permanently seated" due to an aneurysm. Julia refused to be stopped by this setback and carried on as a well-known artist around the country, winning many awards.
She is survived by her children Jan Zweerts (Rae Zweerts-Casey) Portland, OR; Philip Zweerts (Rachael Tadyish) Postville WI; Judi Kane (Curt) Hood River, OR; Brother Andrew Brownfoot (Margaret) Sicily, Italy; Niece Anna Brownfoot Beeson (Tim), Australia; Grandchildren Amber Kuebli (Dan) Monroe, WI; Josh Penniston (Chelsea Galloway) Belmont WI; Sadie Kane (Jeff Bailey) Portland, OR; Richard Kane Hood River, OR; Sam Zweerts Postville, WI; Great grandchildren Deacon and Elise Kuebli and Livi Penniston.
Preceded in Death by Parents, Maurice and Margaret Brownfoot, husband Arnold Zweerts, sister-in-law Loets Zweerts, Cousin Maisie Smith.
A Celebration of her life will be held at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River on February 19th from 1-3 PM. Please come and bring stories or photos you wish to share.
Donations to Hospice of the Gorge are appreciated. It is with their help that Julia was able to pass peacefully at home and with dignity. Also many thanks to Providence Home Health for all the wonderful support and care.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals Receptions Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, OR 97031. Please visit our website to leave a note of condolence for family www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.
Julia's father was a commercial artist doing illustrations for Vogue and used Julia as a model. He was called into service during WWII in the British Royal Navy. As a consequence Julia spent little time in any one place and grew up in boarding schools. Julia studied at the Royal College of Art becoming a 3rd generation artist in her family. One of her instructors, a Dutchman named Arnold Zweerts, became enamored of her.
Arnold 34 and Julia 19 were married on April 7, 1953 in Kew Gardens, Surrey England. In June they moved to Amsterdam. In 1955 Jan was born. They lived in a 7th story artist garret were Julia coped with learning Dutch and cooking on a one burner stove while keeping multi-course dinners warm under the bed linens. Julia's cooking was well known among friends and family which induced many travel plans to her kitchen over the years.
Arnold and Julia immigrated in 1957 to Joliet IL. In 1958, Philip, was born then in 1962, Judi arrived. In 1963 they moved back to Bussum, Netherlands. 1965 they returned to the US to Downers Grove IL. Julia volunteered for the Arts in the Schools program, taught night school ceramics while producing vivid silk screen prints, intricate watercolors and hand thrown pots glazed and fired in the basement.
The entire family packed (5 people, 2 dogs, art supplies, 2 tents, cooking gear and sleeping bags) into a small car and traveled to Mexico in early 1970s to further their education at the Instituto de Allende in San Miguel de Allende, this sparked profound changes in both artists work.
1975 found them moving to an old schoolhouse in Postville, Wisconsin. There Julia enjoyed painting watercolors of rustic barns and the beautiful rolling hills.
Over the years they visited many destinations across the US, Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, England, Netherlands, Italy and Venice. In her younger years she loved to sail, hike, bike, camp and ice skate.
In 1985 Arnold and Julia once again packed up and moved to Corbett, Oregon where they lived for a year before finally settling in Hood River in 1986. Wonderful art work sprang forth from Julia in such diverse arts as precious metal jewelry, cloisonné, watercolors, paper sculpting, ceramics and mosaics. Julia was also well known for her clothing that she intricately stitched with ornate designs. In 1993 Julia became "permanently seated" due to an aneurysm. Julia refused to be stopped by this setback and carried on as a well-known artist around the country, winning many awards.
She is survived by her children Jan Zweerts (Rae Zweerts-Casey) Portland, OR; Philip Zweerts (Rachael Tadyish) Postville WI; Judi Kane (Curt) Hood River, OR; Brother Andrew Brownfoot (Margaret) Sicily, Italy; Niece Anna Brownfoot Beeson (Tim), Australia; Grandchildren Amber Kuebli (Dan) Monroe, WI; Josh Penniston (Chelsea Galloway) Belmont WI; Sadie Kane (Jeff Bailey) Portland, OR; Richard Kane Hood River, OR; Sam Zweerts Postville, WI; Great grandchildren Deacon and Elise Kuebli and Livi Penniston.
Preceded in Death by Parents, Maurice and Margaret Brownfoot, husband Arnold Zweerts, sister-in-law Loets Zweerts, Cousin Maisie Smith.
A Celebration of her life will be held at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River on February 19th from 1-3 PM. Please come and bring stories or photos you wish to share.
Donations to Hospice of the Gorge are appreciated. It is with their help that Julia was able to pass peacefully at home and with dignity. Also many thanks to Providence Home Health for all the wonderful support and care.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals Receptions Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, OR 97031. Please visit our website to leave a note of condolence for family www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.