Alan Walker Brown

saratoga springs Alan Walker Brown, 90, died peacefully on July 8, 2008 in his home in Saratoga Springs. Born April 30, 1918 in Amsterdam, N.Y., he was the second son of William "The Old Gent" Brown and Agnes Walker Brown, originally of Glasgow, Scotland. Alan attended Scarsdale High School, where he met his future wife, Helen Lois Brantley, (Lois), at age 15, catching her eye by squeaking his sneakers and running up the walls; they were together from that point on. After graduating from high school, Alan attended the Grand Central School of Art in Manhattan. He had his first one-man show in his early years as a painter at the Montross Gallery in the City. In 1940, he won first prize for his Still Life in oil at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, which resulted in the museum's purchase of the painting where it remains in residence. Alan and Lois were married on Sept. 21, 1940. They settled happily in Greenwich Village. In 1952, they moved to Higganum, Conn. to raise their children, Alan R. and Bill. Alan made his living as a design consultant until his early '70s. He then returned to painting with the steadfast support of Lois, his muse and partner. Between 1989 and 1995 he won seven awards in the annual juried show at the Guilford Art League. Throughout their life together Alan and Lois maintained a love of traveling to Europe, especially to Italy, to Cape Cod, and to their second home in Charleston, S.C. Their marriage also was highlighted by frequent family gatherings. After their family moved to Washington County, N.Y., Alan and Lois bought a home in the village of Cambridge and opened Gallery 20 East Main, which exhibited the works of local artists for 10 years. In the mid 1990s, they moved to Saratoga Springs, where Alan established his last studio and earnestly painted many new creations. He continued to paint even after Lois' death in 2002 and up until the week before his own death. Four years ago, Alan won first prize in the Schoharie County Art Council Show in Cobleskill, N.Y. He also exhibited at all five of the ASA Landscapes for Landsake art events in Coila, N.Y. He is survived by his sons, Alan R. Brown and his wife, Nancy, of Jackson and William L. Brown and his wife, MaryNell, of Easton; his grandchildren, Kristin Brown-Lilley, her husband, Joel and son, Hazen Walker of Saratoga Springs, Colin Brown and his partner, Ashleigh Yurschak of Jackson, Hillary Brown and her fiance, Andre Savoie of Round Lake; the families of his deceased brother, William M. Brown and deceased brother-in-law, Theodore L. Brantley; his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Harden of Hancock, Maine, and family; and his brother-in-law and devoted friend, Walter Trautwein, of White Creek, and family. A private family graveside service will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2008. Friends and family are invited to a potluck memorial repast at the home of Bill and MaryNell Brown at 23 Birch Hollow Road in Easton at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Donations in memory of Alan may be made to your charity of choice.