Jean Louise Johanson, Seattle artist

Art was a way of life for Jean Louise Johanson, who sculpted large works for Seattle buildings and created the "Bambino" calendar image for Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center.

She kept busy for decades, making rock mosaics, wood carvings, bronze pieces and jewelry at her studio-home in Bellevue's Hilltop neighborhood.

Her efforts won gallery awards and rave reviews from Seattle to New York.

Long married to Perry Johanson, a co-founder of the influential Northwest architecture firm NBBJ, Mrs. Johanson had an inside track to placing her art in prominent places. But it was her skill at creating pieces to compliment NBBJ's bold, modern designs that snagged the commissions.

Her installations include the bronze fountain at Seattle's Westlake Center and the pebble wall at Pacific Science Center.

At home with family, in her garden or out on the town, she was always refining ideas for her sculpture, paintings and jewelry.

She also had a deep feeling for nature and social justice.

"My mother did a lot of different work that was good and was very active in Democratic politics for years," said her son, Peter Johanson of Mount Vernon.

Mrs. Johanson died Wednesday (March 1) of Alzheimer's disease. She was 88.

Born in Spokane, she spent much time drawing. At age 15, she decided to be a sculptor. As orator for her graduating class at North Central High School, she spoke on "Art in Everyday Life."

In 1934, she earned an art degree while studying with celebrated artists Dudley Pratt and Walter Isaacs at the University of Washington.

She married Johanson in 1936 and moved with him into a home he designed in Seattle's Hawthorne Hills, where she had a studio.

In the early 1950s, they moved to Hilltop. They drew other artists and architects to the neighborhood, which was lively with picnics and beautification projects.

In 1944, she had her first solo show, at the Seattle Art Museum. During the 1950s and 1960s, she worked in large-scale pebble mosaics, which grace several Seattle buildings. She also created three terra cotta wall panels for the UW Health Sciences building.

She concentrated on small-scale work in the 1970s and 1980s, creating jewelry of natural materials.

After her husband died in 1981, she moved into Covenant Shores retirement community and continued to sketch and make jewelry.

"She balanced caring for her family and community and making artistic contributions," said her son. "She gave her best to both."

Also surviving are her brother, Phil Peterson of Spokane, and four grandchildren. Her daughter, Tina Peters, died in 1989.

Services for Mrs. Johanson are scheduled at 3 p.m. Wednesday at East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 S.E. 32nd St., Bellevue.

Remembrances may be sent to Bellevue Botanical Gardens, 12001 Main St., Bellevue, WA 98005.