Art by the people, for the people

Published 6:00 am Saturday, February 17, 2007

Visiting the Artist’s Cooperative Gallery in downtown Langley you may run into local celebrity and painter Ted Basrak. If you do, get ready for some lively conversation, one of Basrak’s finest talents.

Basrak is one of the gallery’s artists who adds to the ever-changing collection of art that merges the spirit of cooperation with the joy of self-expression. And he is as colorful and vibrant a person as are his watercolor and oil paintings that feature landscapes of his beloved Whidbey Island.

On one recent morning he discussed his life and his appreciation for what his life had given him.

“Love is truly a gift — if you are lucky enough to have that. If you have had love that is all you need,” Basrak said.

This positivity toward life is illustrated in his art and by the effervescence with which Basrak meets and greets people both in and outside of the gallery.

It is apparent that he has a large feeling for life and people and he had kind words for fellow artist, Moe Jerome, who was also on duty at the cooperative that day.

“I have met many people in my life and this man here is a very fine gentleman; one of the best,” said Basrak of Jerome.

Basrak has studied painting since his early childhood when he grew up in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

“My mother used to sell my paintings for food,” Basrak remembered.

As a member of the resistance, he fought Nazis in World War II and was honored with saving 32 downed airmen.

Now he devotes his life to painting in his Clinton studio and enjoying the gifts of the island, which are reflected in his work.

He held up one of his recent additions to the gallery, a painting of a large tortoise.

“Listen Jerome,” he said. I call this ‘Honey can you see me now? I lost my phone!” Basrak’s sense of humor is one of his most endearing charms.

Established in the spring of 1992, the Gallery embraces the cooperative concept as an economic system and promotes self-sufficiency for island artists. The gallery collaborates with other cooperatives and like-minded groups to achieve the mutual goal of helping to contribute to a stable local economy and increase the special quality of life on Whidbey Island.

The gallery showcases Whidbey Island artists whose work covers the spectrum from miniature to heroic, traditional to experimental. Generously contributing their talents and time, every facet of the Gallery’s operation — from gardening to professional services — is carried out by member artists.

There are more than 30 artists presently featured at the gallery and Basrak’s friend Jerome is another of its painters.

Standing in front of one of his still life oil paintings, Jerome explained his desire to communicate a message to his audience. The painting is of three yellow pears and one bitten red apple entitled “Fleshy Fruit.”

“We’re all fleshy,” Jerome said.

“Instead of getting along as people or countries or whatever — we continue to group up and take a bite out of others. We gang up like three pears against one apple,” he explained.

Jerome said painting for him allows him to say something as an artist in a subtle way. He is a man who would rather speak his mind with a paintbrush rather than up on a soapbox. Visit www.moezartgallery.com to see more of Jerome’s work.

That is just one of the many benefits to the gallery being a cooperative venue. There seem to be no boundaries for the artists here. Expression is varied and given a wide berth. It is a gallery of the people.

“I like to paint from my life’s experiences and memories. I want my paintings to pull the viewer into deciphering their messages. I want my work to be just a starting point for the viewers personal vision,” Jerome said.

When visiting the gallery, you may even find the gallery’s artists at work — spinning and weaving, fabricating jewelry, sculpting, constructing glass windows or perhaps painting at an easel. The Artist’s Cooperative Gallery is one aspect of the exceptional character of Whidbey Island anytime of year.

And if you are very lucky you may have the happy experience of meeting Basrak, whose lust for life may just put a little bounce in your step for the rest of the day.

Stay tuned for a look at more of the artists of the Artist’s Coop Gallery who will be featured on the Island Living page in the coming weeks.

The Artist’s Cooperative Gallery is open daily and is located at 314 First St., Langley. Call 221-7675 for more information.

Patricia Duff can be reached at 221-5300 or pduff@southwhidbeyrecord.com.