James C. Christensen

James C. Christensen (born 1942) is an American artist. His main body of work, mostly paintings, is heavily influenced by fantasy themes. Even his small body of religious work shows heavy fantasy influence. Christensen says his inspirations are myths, fables, fantasies, and tales of imagination.

Christensen was raised in Culver City, California and attended UCLA. He then moved to Utah to finish his higher education at Brigham Young University (Christensen is a member of The 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 in Orem, 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 and Japan's Outstanding American Illustrators. He also won all the professional art honors the World Science Fiction Convention offers, and multiple Chesley Awards from the Association 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 by Renwick St. James.

Christensen lives in a house he designed filled with secret passages and sculptures inspired by his paintings.

Not employed in all his paintings, his trademark is a flying or floating fish, 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 of Bountiful, Utah demanded that the book be removed from circulation from the young adult section at the Davis County Library in nearby Farmington, Utah. The book features fantasy artwork such as depictions of trolls, dragons and ogres. Two images of mermaids 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 the Citizens 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 the Salt Lake Tribune
*imdb name|id=0159796|name=James C. Christensen
* [http://mysite.verizon.net/res008eg/christensenart Artwork By James Christensen]