Alexander Basil Darais was born in Santa Monica, California in 1918. He is an arts educator and is known as a tonal figurative expressionistic painter whose work reflects his personal and religious beliefs. He lives in Provo, Utah.

Alexander Basil Darais

LDS

LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Basil Darais, Christina Darais

Norma Louise Johnson

After graduating from Venice High School, Darais attended a local junior college. To help meet expenses he found a part-time job working as a busboy for Twentieth Century–Fox. This was during the grand era of Hollywood, and he had many fond memories of waiting on such silver screen legends as Jimmy Stewart, Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, and Shirley Temple.A co-worker at the studio gave Darais a copy of the Book of Mormon. The friend left, but Darais’ interest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continued to grow. Shortly afterward he found a Mormon pamphlet on the sidewalk with the address of the Los Angeles Mission office. This led to missionary discussions and his becoming a member of the Church in 1938.

1918

Venice, California

2007-08-08

Served a mission with his wife Norma in Greece.

Darais earned a BA from Brigham Young University, attended Claremont College in California, and earned an MFA from Pomona Associated College.

In 1946, back from the war, Alex Darais attended Brigham Young University and majored in art. He also began to write poetry. After graduating, he went to Claremont Graduate School in California. Having completed his master's degree, he returned to Brigham Young University in 1953 to teach art at the old Academy. As a designer and painter, he became one of BYU's most beloved and respected faculty members.

Male

Artist

Over Three Billion Served (1974), a mixed media piece, is featured in the Springville Museum of Art permanent collection.Gourmet was featured in the Springville Museum of Art 74th spring salon. He was also awarded one of the Most Honored Artists of 2002.