- James C. Christensen
James C. Christensen (born 1942) is an American
artist . His main body of work, mostlypainting s, is heavily influenced byfantasy themes. Even his small body of religious work shows heavy fantasy influence. Christensen says his inspirations are myths,fable s, fantasies, and tales of imagination.Christensen was raised in
Culver City, California and attendedUCLA . He then moved toUtah to finish his higher education atBrigham Young University (Christensen is a member ofThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [ [http://www.adherents.com/people/pc/James_C_Christensen.html Religion of James C. Christensen, famous painter ] ] , BYU's sponsor). He then went on to teach art for over 20 years where he finished his teaching career at Brigham Young University in the late 1990s. Christensen now resides inOrem, Utah .Since his graduation he has had numerous showings of his work throughout the US and has been commissioned by numerous media companies to create artwork for their publications, such as
Time-Life Books and Omni.Most of Christensen's paintings have a philosophical message. He is loath to describe them, however, preferring to allow the viewer to discern their own message.
Christensen's work has appeared in the
American Illustration Annual andJapan 'sOutstanding American Illustrators . He also won all the professional art honors theWorld Science Fiction Convention offers, and multipleChesley Award s from theAssociation of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists .Christensen appeared in an episode of ABC's show in 2005. He created a picture featuring a member of the family as a fairy. The design team filmed a segment at his studio. The
Greenwich Workshop donated a framed Court of the Faeries that Christensen presented to the family for the room as well.Christensen has published three books, with many of his works appearing in many more. His first book, "", was printed in 1994 to great acclaim. His second, "
Voyage of the Basset " (October 1 1996 ), contains a frame story for a great deal of original work. His third book, "Rhymes & Reasons ", was published in May 1997. Christensen also illustrated "A Shakespeare Sketchbook " (May 2001) with text byRenwick St. James .Christensen lives in a house he designed filled with
secret passage s and sculptures inspired by his paintings.Not employed in all his paintings, his
trademark is a flying or floatingfish , often on a leash.Christensen co-chairs the Mormon Arts Foundation with his wife Carole. [ [http://www.greenwichworkshop.com/studio/studio_artist.asp?artistid=16 Greenwich Workshop Artist's Studio ] ]
Christensen has produced some pieces that can be placed in historical periods such as "Harvey Cluff". [ [http://www.sweetwaterrescue.com/artist_christensen.php Sweetwater Rescue ] ]
For a time Christensen was an art professor at BYU. [ [http://www.greenwichworkshopgallery.com/trio/default.htm Greenwich Workshop - Originals ] ]
Controversy
Christensen's book "
Voyage of the Basset " was the source of controversy in 2006 when a resident ofBountiful, Utah demanded that the book be removed from circulation from the young adult section at the Davis County Library in nearbyFarmington, Utah . The book features fantasy artwork such as depictions oftroll s,dragon s andogre s. Two images ofmermaid s and one of a sphinx-like creature feature partially- or fully-exposed breasts. [cite news
author = Cathy McKitrick
url = http://www.sltrib.com/search/ci_4223693#
title = Mermaids afloat in Davis libraries despite protests
publisher = The Sale Lake Tribune
date = 2006-08-23
accessdate = 2006-08-25]Though the images are not sexual in nature, and as drawn, the breasts feature no nipples,
Rod Jeppsen of theCitizens for Decency group said:The Davis County Library Board voted to keep the book in circulation in the young adult section on
August 22 2006 .References
External links
* [http://www.greenwichworkshop.com/christensen Biography of Christensen at Publisher's Site]
* [http://www.galleryone.com/christensen_biography.htm Biography of Christensen]
* [http://www.rggallery.com/jcbio.php Another biography of Christensen]
* [http://www.sltrib.com/search/ci_4223693# "Mermaids afloat in Davis libraries despite protests"] at theSalt Lake Tribune
*imdb name|id=0159796|name=James C. Christensen
* [http://mysite.verizon.net/res008eg/christensenart Artwork By James Christensen]
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