"Life seems to be more complicated than ever. And all too often, too
serious. I use my artwork to ease the burdens of everyday stuff".
- James Christensen
Inspired
by the world's myths, fables and tales of imagination, James C. Christensen
wants his work to add up to more than a beautiful--if sometimes 'curious'
looking work of art. Having taught art professionally for over 20
years, he likes to think of the world as his classroom. more
“Homer
tells us that ‘winged words’ are successful communications, and that
words without wings are not as well understood and do not have the power
to touch or move a listener. Two Sisters was created as part of a show I
put together, Winged Words, which was based on this idea of
communication and on our attitudes towards each other.
“It
began on a trip to Italy. I was intrigued by the Fra Angelico frescoes
painted in the monks’ cells in the Church of San Marco in Florence. Many
of the paintings had words of scripture, written in Latin, issuing from
the mouths of the characters. I became fascinated with the idea, so much
so that it became the theme for an entire show.”
“The
first idea that came to me for the diptych Two Sisters was somewhat
cliché: the poor woman is virtuous and the rich woman, elitist; one
good, one bad. But, then I thought about the inherent worth of all
people, the wealthy as well as the poor. Both have gifts to offer to the
world, each giving according to their ability. This is symbolized by the
flowers and Latin words hovering above the outstretched hands.
“The
ornately adorned woman balances a strawberry plant which symbolizes the
good works of a righteous person. Notice that the fruit itself is not
quite ripe as her gifts to the world have not yet been fully realized.
The Latin reads Caritas: the rich sister can offer charity. The more
meekly attired sister holds a little white violet, a symbol of humility.
The Latin above reads Spes – Fides: faith and hope.”
-
James Christensen,
Limited Edition Anniversary
Diptych
Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
The
"Hold to the Rod, the Iron Rod" Remarque Edition features the hand-colored
remarque "Choosing the Right." With this original Christensen
design, we have the pleasure of discovering the choice our character
has made through a beautiful and special work of art. On the ground
around him lay much of his discarded baggage. He has made the
commitment to reach out and grab hold of what is actually important:
keeping sight of our true belief and faith, knowing that these alone
can and will guide him through.
The
"Hold to the Rod" Remarque Edition is limited to 350 pieces. This
edition is comprised of the Fine Art Print signed by the artist and
numbered, plus a matching numbered and signed "Choosing the Right."
The hand-colored remarque is 6 1/2" x 7 1/2" on Strathmore Fine Art
paper and has an image area of 4" x 5 5/8". It can be framed with
your "Hold to the Rod" print or framed seperately. The Remarque
Edition retails for $375.00 and presents the complete "Hold to the
Rod" story.
“Tree of Life imagery
and its symbolism are present in almost every world creation myth and
mythology. References, in one form of another, can be found in the Book
of Genesis, Chinese and Norse mythology, Hinduism and pre-Columbian
Mesoamerican cultures,” explains artist James C. Christensen.
“Most
often these trees represent or act as a connection between heaven and
all forms of creation. Our own scriptures are rich with stories and we
are often taught by parables, visions, and dreams recorded by the
writers of our sacred books to give us insights into the nature of man
and God’s relationship to his children.”
“Lehi’s
Dream (1 Nephi 8) is a wonderful example of this and the Tree of Life is
a powerful image. The story and the painting remind us that the fruits
of the tree are available to everyone that tries to live a good life.
There is a path to be followed and at the end there is the Tree, the
love of God, and his fruits are there for all of us to enjoy.”
“These three are obviously on an important
mission,” says James Christensen, “dressed in their finest clothes and
all very serious, even the camel. We’re not sure who they are but they
each appear to be carrying a special gift.”
Their magical golden boat, complete with
Moorish-inspired stone arches and a filigreed rudder, sports a “lateen”
sail common around the Mediterranean Sea and other Mideast coastal
waters. Is this ship floating or has it run aground? Perhaps they are
near Bethlehem . . . but it looks a lot like northern Europe. Then
again, this journey in a spectacular vessel of imprecise ancestry across
a Flemish landscape might just be a jewel of a metaphor for life itself.
“These three wise men are taking a
shortcut,” says the artist with a twinkle in his eye.
“There’s only one camel on deck. The other two are below because they
get seasick.”
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
“I
was listening to a song by Nora Jones, at one point she sings In a boat
that’s built of sticks and hay, we drifted from the shore… It occurred
to me that a new marriage is like a tiny nest of sticks and twigs and on
the river of life, our relationships act like a boat that holds us
together as we travel along its meandering path. Through their journey
together, this newlywed couple will build stronger supports into their
fledgling nest until it will be a shelter able to withstand even the
fiercest of storms.”
“The shoreline of the river is bountiful
with signs that good fortune will accompany this newlywed couple
throughout their passage. Heart-shaped bushes populate the undergrowth
along the river’s edge. Lemons, a universal symbol of marital happiness,
ripen abundantly on a tree. Next to it, the oranges signify that they
hope to start a family. The white lilies are an indication of purity and
virtue, and the irises represent faith and hope. Peace and friendship in
the family can be expected since a pair of swallows blesses this couple
with their presence.”
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
Some scientists have
devoted their careers to the study of how we perceive the passage of
time. Time comes to a stop. Time drags. Time flies (Latin: tempus
fugit). When we’re busy and engaged in life, we ride the passage of
time like a raft down a river. The quintessential Christensen character
in this painting is a little bit of the absent-minded professor with his
mismatched footwear and befuddled surprise. He is shocked at the hour,
even as he’s surrounded by reminders of the time.
“This is the look on my
face,” says artist James C. Christensen, “when I glance up from painting
and realize an entire afternoon has passed!”
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
“The
inscription over the entrance reads
Scientia est Potentia, so the
institution was founded on the
principle that ‘Knowledge is Power’
But it is vital to realize that
here, at this place, the traditional
human paths to knowledge, to become
political beings or financiers, are
incomplete. Science itself only
offers us one way of looking at our
problems. One needs to add the
suspension of disbelief in order to
gain access to the magic found in
life. You don’t learn ordinary
things here. The College of Magical
Knowledge is just the opposite of
the kind of institution where the
Fellowes wear black and are very
serious. It is a place where the
professors wear as many colors as
possible, plus two! I’d guess that
nearly every character I’ve painted
went to school here. Certainly a few
haven’t, but you can see here Bird
Hunters, the Fishwalker, a butterfly
fisherman and the Pear Balancer. For
as stately as the building may
appear, the College is far bigger on
the inside than out. The Fellowes
have an incredible library of stuff
at which we can only guess. But two
of the most prized possessions are
the Book of Answers and the Book of
Questions. I’ve heard that most find
learning how to ask the right
questions will get them farther than
simply having all the answers, which
isn’t necessarily the path many
institutions take.”
- James
C. Christensen
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
Welcome to The Chess Match as imagined by
James, the professor of the imagination. “These characters are
quite passionate about the game. You’ll notice that they’ve
incorporated the checkerboard pattern into their clothing and
even onto the castle walls. But, they’ve only learned the game
as distant observers, somewhat like you or me getting fascinated
over a rugby match on the Aussie Channel. We could get all
excited, run into the backyard and form up a scrum but we
wouldn’t know the nuances of the game. Still, we’d have all
sorts of fun and maybe even lose some teeth in the process.”
more
Museum Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
"The concept for this ancient angel came
completely out of the blue. He started as a drawing in my sketchbook
and he looked like he had been around forever. I see him at almost
the farthest reaches of eternity. Every night he climbs up that
little trail and holds out his candle. It's almost as if the candle
were the stars. You can make up your own story about this fellow.
Where is he? Why is he here? Maybe he likes this spot. Maybe he's
been up there, watching, since before the beginning of the world.
Maybe he's a grandfather figure and this is where he answers the
prayers of the little ones. I think of this angel the same way I
think of people who stay in those little, out-of-the-way,
mom-and-pop stores. When you ask them why they stay there, they say,
'Hey, it's my little spot and I like it here.'"
- James Christensen
Limited Anniversary Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
The inspiration
for this mysterious beauty in the wood comes from the classic fairy
tale The Frog Prince wherein the most beautiful princess in the land
loses her little gold ball down a well and promises a frog he can be
her dearest companion if only he retrieves the it. To make this
short story shorter, he does and she reneges on her promise until
her father, the king, seizing the opportunity of a teaching moment,
makes her keep her promise. The lovely princess holds her nose to
befriend the frog but after a few days, she actually does like her
new friend and kisses him. He turns into the prince he was before a
witch cast a spell on him and the two live happily ever after.
Foremost fantasy artist James C. Christensen captures the precise
moment of truth where the delicate fingertips of the princess holds
her most precious object and contemplates the cost of keeping it,
against the cost of sharing her love with the world. Luckily for
that frog, she made the right choice.
- James Christensen
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
"The words coming out of this angel’s mouth
are purposely provocative and designed to make you wonder 'What does
that mean?' It’s Latin, beatus est pisciculus, meaning 'Blessed is
the little fish.' Floating fish symbolize the magic all around us
and they are blessed little things themselves, to bring this magic
into our lives. Is the angel blessing the fish or the fish blessing
the angel? The fish is a symbol I frequently use and this painting
was meant as my 'thank-you' for a lot of the magic in my life."
- James Christensen
Limited Anniversary Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to
swallow up Jonah.
And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:17
“I always loved the Jonah story,” says James C. Christensen. “When I
thought about the scripture that said the Lord had ‘prepared a great
fish’ to swallow the recalcitrant prophet, I went home and got to
thinking that if I were God, I’d make a really neat-looking fish. So
I painted what I thought it might look like. The thing to remember
is that the window is a one-way mirror. If Jonah could see out, it
would be just another vacation cruise.”
Limited Anniversary Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to
swallow up Jonah.
And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:17
“I always loved the Jonah story,” says James C. Christensen. “When I
thought about the scripture that said the Lord had ‘prepared a great
fish’ to swallow the recalcitrant prophet, I went home and got to
thinking that if I were God, I’d make a really neat-looking fish. So
I painted what I thought it might look like. The thing to remember
is that the window is a one-way mirror. If Jonah could see out, it
would be just another vacation cruise.”
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
“The best friendships can and will endure,”
explains James Christensen. “My wife has a life-long friend that lives
in California. We live in Utah. Their relationship is more like that of
sisters, although possibly even stronger. They have been friends for
decades. Over that period of time they have had the chance to share all
the joys life has presented them. They have also looked to and supported
each other through hardship, distance and change. Separately, they have
grown but never have they grown apart. The physical distance between
them is overcome by an unseen connection.
“This painting is a diptych, each panel its
own character. Unlike my diptych Sisters, both of these women are
equals in their relationship as indicated by the similar style of
clothing between the two. Both women lightly grasp the tie that
binds them together. It is not a difficult thing to manage.
Additionally, each has an ample length of cord in reserve, ensuring
that no physical distance between them can severe their tie".
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
Diptych
Image Size:
16" x 20"
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Apollonia is the patron saint of dentists and
those suffering toothaches. When heathens in Alexandria revolted
against the Christians in 249, Apollonia was beaten and her teeth
were pulled because she would not recant her Christian beliefs.
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
This unassuming young woman has been endowed
with wings and grace with such force that even the invisible has
left its shadow on stone. And she's not sure what just happened .
.
"She remains modest and humble and is
probably unaware of what she has done. Her service and kindness just
seemed like the right thing to do," says artists James C.
Christensen.
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paper
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“When I painted The Yellow Rose I had just
come back from a trip to Italy. Everywhere we went there seemed
to be another centuries-old building adorned with yet another
breath-taking fresco. There was such a lost and found quality to
discovering these works. Most carried a religious theme, but there
was also a sense of high romance in them as well. That is what I
tried to capture here,” says Christensen.
“The woman has a halo, but I’m not
quite sure that I meant her to be a saint. She definitely is
instilled with divine grace, however. The yellow rose is symbolic of
light and warmth, as opposed to a red rose which is more often
associated with love and lovers. I also focused on taking a much
more painterly approach to this piece. I wanted it to have the
built-up and layered textures like those frescos I had seen in
Italy. An astute observer will notice that this is the same
model that I used for The Beggar Princess and the Magic Rose, but
that painting was actually inspired by this one.”
- James Christensen
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
This hunchback
“Everyman” of James C. Christensen’s symbology is not only thinking
outside the box, he is outside of his box. He’s arrived, and if he
had any trouble getting here, it’s behind him now. It’s like getting
up very early in the morning, before everyone else, and taking that
quiet time to reflect. It’s a perfect moment, sitting on the
checkered game board of life, and contemplating a cloudless future.
In a couple of hours he may be joined by others, or maybe not, but
for now the sky’s the limit, the air smells great, and the
possibilities are endless.
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
The parable of the
Widow’s Mite illustrates piety in its purest form. A widow, here depicted as a
young woman in tattered finery, the last vestiges of her privileged former life,
offers all that she has to the temple. Her contribution of two small coins may
seem small when compared to the lavish donations of the city fathers, but, said
Jesus, “…this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into
the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want
did cast in all that she had, even her living.” (Mark 12: 43-44)
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“Anyone who has
stood on the precipice of revealing their true emotions toward
another will find this scene familiar. This intrepid little
hunchback is declaring his love and saying, ‘Here I go, come what
may.’ The odds seem to be in his favor as he sails in the Love Boat
itself with the offspring of the Owl and the Pussycat for his
companion.”
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
In the fantastic
world of James C. Christensen’s paintings, fish are a symbol of
magic and wisdom. “Their floating presence in the air reminds us
that anything is possible,” says Christensen, “and those touched or
surrounded by fish are considered truly blessed. When the fish don’t
arrive, however, sometimes a person will take matters into his own
hands, with compelling but less-than-convincing results. Non-magical
fish, as you can see, don’t really enjoy hanging in mid-air.”
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
Lawrence Pretended Not to Notice
That a Bear
Had Become Attached to his Coattail
“This is one of those paintings that most people can
relate to,” says James C. Christensen, “although
often for a different reason than you may expect. I
think everyone occasionally ignores problems in the
hope that they will fade away, but that’s not the
only interpretation for the image. When wildlife
painter Bonnie Marris saw this painting she cried,
‘That poor bear! This is the third guy he’s gotten
attached to this week and this isn’t even his
neighborhood! Did you ever think about that?’
“Personal experience has a major influence on
people’s interpretation of the painting’s
message. When I gave a talk to third graders about
trusting their ideas, I asked them what they thought
Lawrence …
was about. One little girl said, ‘You shouldn’t take
pets home without asking your mom.’”
- James Christensen
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
Just before his triumphal entrance into
Jerusalem, Jesus passed through a town where a righteous young man asked
him what he could do to inherit eternal life. The young man told Jesus
how he followed the Commandments and obeyed the laws of his people, but
Jesus asked something more: “Go, sell everything you have and give to
the poor,” he said, “and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come,
follow me.” The home of The Rich Young Ruler is filled with symbols of
both his success and his dilemma. The laden camels in the frieze in the
foreground illustrate Jesus’ next words to his disciples, “It is easier
for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to
enter the kingdom of God. ”The ruler himself is richly dressed in fine
fabrics and jewels and the room is filled with lush plants, which in a
desert setting would be quite costly to maintain. Sputtering beside the
entrance to the door is the ruler’s lamp that, like the flame of his
belief, wavers in the wind. These symbols, combined with Christensen’s
unique style, make The Rich Young Ruler an elegant story of difficult
decisions and of a Master who will always look back and offer another
chance.
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
"To walk safely through
the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance
of virtue."
-Buddha
The graceful young woman
depicted may walk a dark path, but with determination and focus as her
guiding principles she will surely find her way. Incorporating one of
James C. Christensen’s most popular recurring themes, Virtue serves as a
classic and elegant reminder to stay true to your beliefs, that faith
and strength will see you through the dark times.
“The candle is a symbol of light in the spirit,” says Christensen. “The
candle is about being an example to others, but it’s also about keeping
that light shining for yourself. Be true to yourself and to the things
you know are important and don’t let the world taint you.”
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
“Did you ever feel the weight of the world on your
shoulders? When I painted The Burden of the Responsible Man I felt overwhelmed
by how much everybody expected from me. I felt as if life was taking everything
I had and not giving much back, just dangling a carrot to keep me going. Even
this man’s pet, a hedgehog, needs to be fed and taken for walks, but is too
prickly to offer warm ‘cuddlies’ in return. But the man’s a responsible person
and so he just keeps plodding along. That’s the point. I just kept plodding
along, too, and things got better. I discovered that my burdens were really
blessings and challenges necessary for my growth.”
- James
Christensen
Limited Edition Anniversary Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
Clothed in garb of cobwebs and moonlight, Fiona
catches your gaze. Like all of the sídhe (faeries) she is breathtakingly
beautiful, but Fiona is more than meets the eye. Celtic legends tell of men
and women who followed the unearthly music of the faeries deep into the
woods and were never seen again. Other folk tell a friendlier tale of the
leanan sídhe, the faerie muses who protect artists and poets in exchange for
their immortal love.
James Christensen’s Fiona shines in her natural adornments. If you look
closely, you’ll see the half-hidden subjects of her kingdom: flowers,
animals and insects, hidden amid her garments. If you look closer still,
you just might find exactly what you seek, but beware—the promises of
faeries are fleeting and nothing is ever quite what it seems
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
In the midst of our hectic lives, it is easy
to forsake what is important in favor of what needs to be done. We
relinquish our quiet time, our communion with ourselves and a greater
universe, for the daily realities that (it seems) cannot wait. Once in a
while, however, if we would just be still and listen, we would hear
something wondrous. The earth—indeed, heaven itself—has music for those who
will listen.
Limited Edition Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
How often do we find ourselves too
preoccupied within our own little worlds to realize when something
truly momentous is happening outside of them? Are we paying enough
attention to those around us to really hear what they are saying?
In this extreme example, a very self-important
individual, in all his pomp and finery, fails to realize the heavenly nature of
his visitor because he’s just not listening. In Latin, the angel says, “I am
dead.” The man’s response to his rather uncommon occurrence, “How do you like my
clothes?” underscores how little he is paying attention. The pear in the man’s
hand, one bite taken—bordering on the over-ripe, is a reminder that we may not
have all the time we think we do to amend these failures in communication.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
If Visitation/Preoccupation is the
warning, Smell the Roses is the answer. This fellow has managed to
layer on and pile up the responsibilities he carries about his life.
Indeed, he’s probably proud of being fairly buttoned-up, and
perhaps, working just a little too hard. Yet, something has suddenly
clicked. He’s stashed away his clock where he can’t see it and
loosened most of his buttons. He’s managed to pass that magic
threshold and realize that we all need to slow down and smell the
roses every now and then. Where in this process are you?
The character in Hold to the Rod finds
himself so burdened with the mundane objects he has collected that, while he
hopefully eyes the rod, he cannot reach up to hold it for fear of losing
something else. The man has become little more than a vehicle for his
adornments. He demonstrates that what is truly important is keeping sight of
our true belief and faith, that they alone will guide us through.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
Christensen sees his blind men as
archetypal figures, embodying the different ways people deal with difficult
situations. All four men are lost, but their expressions reveal their
attitudes: one man is unhappy, one is content with his lot, one man is
confused and one has tumbled into the pit entirely. The Blind Leading the
Blind is a whimsical reminder to remain humble—and to give others the
benefit of the doubt.
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canvas
handsigned by the artist
Although the relationship between the
quartet of tough-looking fish and the determined cyclist in "Resistance
Training" may at first be unclear, the title offers some explanation:
athletes often train against a resisting force to build their strength. In
this particular case, however, as the fish tug stubbornly in the other
direction, we must wonder—who is training whom?
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
A beautiful young woman in tattered finery
stands in a dark castle hall, holding a wilting rose as its petals shed
flakes of gold. The elements of the story seem familiar enough—a princess, a
flower, a ruined castle—but the story itself is nowhere to be found in our
childhood memories of fairy tales. The reason? There is no story … yet. The Beggar Princess and the Magic
Rose exemplifies what artist James Christensen feels is “… so great about
art: the viewer can contribute to the magic by making up their own story.”
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
'' While traveling in Umbria this past
summer, artist James Christensen was inspired by the architecture of the
region, the "piled and stacked buildings" of the hill towns. He filled his
sketchbooks with Italian landscapes and cityscapes such as the one found in
his newest piece, Angels of My
Village. The illuminated landscape and hand-layered gold leaf of the
painting call to mind the angels found in medieval manuscripts. ''
A unique process combining
layers of metallic foil. opaque white ink, process inks and touch colors
onto fine art paper to reproduce the radiant halo effects of gold, silver,
and bronze in the original art.
click on the image
to enlarge
Angel
with Epaulet
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
And now abideth faith, hope, charity,
these three; but the greatest of these is charity. - I CORINTHIANS 13:13
James C. Christensen’s beautiful
Holiday Angel series celebrates gifts worthy of angels—love, peace, life,
hope, music—as Christensen inspires us to live life to its full potential.
The Gift of Charity is the greatest of gifts, granting us the ability to
help others before ourselves; a gift as important during holiday time as it
is throughout the year.
If the name of the new addition to James C.
Christensen’s beloved Nativity sounds familiar, it’s probably because
the Christmas carol Silent Night is humming in your head. It was during
a Christmas past that one of the Christensen children misheard one of
the song’s lyrics and asked “Who’s round John?” Not missing this
creative opportunity, James developed a new character for the crèche,
the portly soul aptly named Round John Virgin. And who is this jolly
fellow? He’s the innkeeper, doing his best to accommodate this young
family and provide them with all the comfort he can on this most
celebrated of nights.
Man, indeed, describes more than he explains;
while the angelic spirit sees and understands. Man judges nature in
relation to itself; the angelic spirit judges it in relation to heaven.
In short, to the spirits everything speaks.
—HONORÉ DE BALZAC
Artist James C. Christensen’s portrayals of
angels, including Cecelia, Sleeper Lost in Dreams and throughout his Saints
and Angels series, inspire us to reflect on the angels among us. The high
contrast in Men and Angels reminds the viewer that sometimes our mortal
world is dark compared to the world of angels. The image also reveals how a
visitor can bring a shining light, leading us out of the darkness.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
This painting is an homage to artist James
Christensen's wife, Carole. He began to contemplate all her roles in
life and the many weighty responsibilities she shouldered as a full-time
wife and mother of five young children. Women everywhere relate to the
need to confidently soar above life's troubles and challenges. In a
given day she may shuttle the children, prepare a gourmet feast, keep to
hectic time schedules and more, but she always keeps her head up and
carries the light of hope to those around her. A delightful gift to
honor a wife, mother, grandmother, sister or any heroic woman in your
life.
Among the important women's roles portrayed in this painting are:
Mother, Pet caretaker, Chef, Housekeeper, Leader (Lighting the way with
wisdom), Scheduler. How many more can you find?
Anniversary Limited Edition
Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
"I have always used the floating fish to
symbolize the presence of life's magic," says Jim Christensen.
"Occasionally, I've wondered whether these little guys are bringing the
magic with them or are the result of it. Who is the recipient of
the benediction? Is the angel blessing the fish, or in another way, is
the fish blessing the angel … blessing her by its presence? The Latin on
the ring, Beatus est Pisciculus, translates as "Blessed is the Little
Fish." Regardless of which came first, the angel or the fish, it's
important to stop and take the time to be thankful for the magic in our
lives." Edition will not exceed
100 s/n
'' There are oodles of adages associated with
"when pig fly": events extremely unlikely to occur or just plain
nonsensical. In the world of artist James C. Christensen, a flying pig
might seem perfectly commonplace. But the hunchback holding a candle in
If Pigs Could Fly is oblivious to his winged counterpart. In
Christensen's art, the hunchback represents the imperfect "everyman" and
the candle he carries signifies his wisdom and faith (or the faith in
his wisdom, as the case may be). Our hero forges onward, walking ahead,
not expecting the unexpected, nor noticing what's happening just over
his shoulder. If Pigs Could Fly reminds us that anything and everything
is possible, and not to eliminate any possibility.''
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
The Listener is about having your own sense of
who you are. Centered, not only in the painting but as a person, with
all the "noise" going on around him, he hears only his own inner voice.
The colorful "noise" around him takes the form personal and artistic
history. Can you find lust, remorse, politicians, the military,
Picasso... and, of course, scary clowns? Every figure represents
something and the final image would be accompanied by a key.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
The Gift
For Mrs. Clause
Anniversary Giclee Canvas
“One of my favorite traditions of Christmas is
making a gift for my wife,” says Christensen. “Whether it is a drawing
of one of our children, a fantasy painting, or a stained glass fish to
hang in the kitchen window, I know that it will have special meaning for
her because I have taken the time to make it. The anticipation of
that moment of surprise is as much a part of the joy and excitement as
the expression on her face when she actually opens her present. In The
Gift for Mrs. Claus, I tried to capture the sense of delightful
conspiracy as Father Christmas puts aside a little extra time to prepare
a special surprise for his wife.”
Anniversary Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
When
James C. Christensen paints a portrait of a woman, the beauty of his
subject never ceases to lose the viewer in thought. . .
Inspirational and Confident . . . Sensitive and Ambiguous . . .
The Pink Ribbon is Christensen's positive statement on prevention and
survival.
The Pink
Ribbon by James Christensen is available in an open edition fine art print
on paper, 11" X 14" unsigned for only $40. There is also a signed,
limited edition Giclee on canvas for $315.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation.
Elegant and captivating are the two
hallmarks you should expect of any James Christensen Hand-Tinted
Original Stone Lithograph. Finding Fish is an excellent companion to
Christensen’s When Faeries Talk with Fishes (Sold Out at Publisher). In
James’ visual vocabulary, a floating fish connotes the presence of
“magic,” the type of which he leaves for you to define. Stone
lithography is considered an original art form because the image itself
is created on the stone before the lithograph is made. Each lithograph
of Finding Fish will be hand-colored by the ubiquitous Magic Fish Studio
so each will be slightly different and completely unique.
This stunning, decorative piece, , explores the
texture, surface and richness of paint – and just happens to be named
for the artist’s newest grandchild, Cecilia. Following in the footsteps
of Saint with White Sleeves, Isabella and Sleeper, Lost in Dreams, this
latest Limited Edition And what’s particularly special about Cecilia is
her exquisite gold enhancement. This Masterwork™ Canvas edition is
hand-enhanced with 23-Karat Gold Leaf.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
'' The
stage for this joyous vision in a pastel palate is set in a Christensen
fantasy world, as we join a maiden and her unusual wedding party sailing
into destiny. Richly layered nuptial symbolism awaits your discovery:
something old (the ruins in the background), something new (the egg on
the pillow), something borrowed (a tan girl from Baroque artist Diego
Velázquez), something blue (the flowing ribbon in the bride’s hair, a
symbol of purity from ancient Israel).''
.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
The subject of Madonna with Two Angels is Mary,
mother of Jesus, flanked by angels. The models for Mary and the angels
might have been the Master’s patrons, as it was customary at the time
for the wealthy to request portraits that incorporated characteristics
of saints or angels. This devotional piece would have hung in a private
home to inspire prayer. Perhaps it was part of a family’s altar. This
limited edition is framed to match the stunning beauty of the original
framed art.
.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
mounted on Archival Museum Board
handsigned by the artist
You are witness to something few humans ever
see. The sweet smell of incense carried on the breeze has awoken you
from your rest in the woods and you capture a glimpse of the king and
queen of the faeries passing by. "This is not the May Day parade or a
Coronation," James C. Christensen explains. "Simply, this is The Royal
Processional - just your regular, everyday king and queen of the Faeries
entourage."
.
Limited Edition
Masterwork Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
"This painting is a love story," says James
Christensen. "Love on a myriad of levels, but most importantly, the
power of love to endure. The painting is infused with thoughts of things
coming to an end; the final phase of the moon, the leaves on a tree
beginning to change, the road is coming to an end. This couple even
needs some assistance in getting around. Yet, they seem unconcerned
about all of this, because in spite of what is happening all around them
they have each other. The power of love is always triumphant."
.
Limited Edition
Masterwork Giclée on paper
handsigned by the artist
Nicholas flourished in the 4th century as Bishop
of Myra in Asia Minor and is universally recognized as the model for our
modern day Santa Claus. He is a figure about which there are more
legends than facts. Patron saint of sailors, one legend tells of him
appearing to storm-tossed mariners who invoked his aid and were brought
safely to port. In the Low Countries of Europe, stories of his
generosity were legendary and gave rise to the custom of exchanging
gifts in his name.
.
Limited Edition
Masterwork Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist mounted on claybord
In the fantastic world of James Christensen, a
“poofy guy” is recognizable by the inordinate layers of clothing he
wears, symbolizing a touch of self-importance as well as the accumulated
baggage of a lifetime. This light and airy piece just may suggest
marriage, as James asks us to consider the luck we “poofy guys” have in
being cared for by a responsible woman." Thank heavens guys like us have
some one holding onto us, otherwise, we’d just spin off into the
atmosphere and pop!”
.
Limited Edition
Masterwork Giclée on paper
handsigned by the artist
Elegant and captivating are two of the measures
we set for any James Christensen Hand-Tinted Original Stone Lithograph,
and with The Messenger, he’s delivered. Is she an angel or is she human;
is she from the past, present or future; she has armor, but is she a
warrior; how do the key and the rose assist in unlocking the enigma of
The Messenger?
For over a year, artist James
C. Christensen painted “under the guise” of an obscure, 15th century Flemish
painter, best known for, and named after, a multi-paneled masterpiece called
The Enoch Altarpiece. Also known as Jehovah Teaches Enoch the Plan of
Salvation, what remains of The Enoch Altarpiece are the two sides that once
flanked the (missing) center panel. The two angels, who originally were
positioned to bless the center scene, incorporate symbols of God’s original
plan for man’s salvation. With the angel on the left are fruit and a
serpent, representing the Garden of Eden and the fall of man, while a skull
pierced by an Easter Lily appears with the angel on the right, suggesting
the triumph of Christ over death and the redemption of man.
.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
St. Brendan’s fame rests on the mythical
adventure described in Brendan’s Voyage, a 10th century romance of
Brendan and a company of monks sailing the Atlantic Ocean to the
Promised Land. One of the stories of the voyage relates that Brendan,
wishing to celebrate Easter Mass, landed on a small island in the middle
of the ocean. After celebrating Mass, Brendan and his companions built a
fire on which to cook a meal and thus awakened the sleeping whale they
had mistakenly identified as a small island. Terrified, the voyagers
rushed to their ship and fled. Since then, St. Brendan has been
associated with whales and large fish.
.
Limited Edition Giclée
on paper
handsigned by the artist
This striking portrait is the likeness of
Isabella Grimaldi, a patrician of the arts. The character of Isabella was
born from the world of Saints and Angels.
.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
The sudden appearance of a new and brilliant
star set the kings of the East on one of the Bible’s better-known
journeys. Through the centuries, paintings have shown as many as eight
kings. Some debate whether the magi were actual kings or a group of
scholars, astronomers and priests. The Western tradition of three kings
most likely arose from the three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh
that they brought to “the newborn King.”
.
Limited Edition Giclée
on paper
handsigned by the artist
"By divine accident, this splendid impression
of beauty, fleeting and frail, shall forever remain the embodiment of
grace."
–Anonymous
There are times when a brief passing moment
can hold a special place in our subconscious. Seeing someone for the first
time can be such an occasion. And although the view may have lasted only an
instant, our mind has a way of filling in what the eye didn’t see, creating
an impression that can linger forever...
.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
From the Magic Fish Studio, the home of James
Christensen, comes this sophisticated yet whimsical piece of fine art. It
sprang to life as an unfinished verse in the artist’s sketchbook:
"When Faeries talk with Fishes, both express
their wishes
When Fishes talk to Faeries, the conversation
varies..."
Soon a drawing appeared above the unfinished
lines of the poem.
The magic of the initial muse carried over
into the decision to create the work as an original stone lithograph. It is
a stone lithograph because James actually drew the image on a 300 lb.
limestone. This is all the more impressive considering the image is created
in reverse onto the stone. The image is transferred from the stone onto a
sheet of fine watercolor paper by hand on a lithographic press. The final
stone lithograph is considered original because this image does not exist as
we see it until the lithograph is produced.
Hand-tinting original stone lithographs predates color printing. That the
color work on each is added by hand enhances the concept of each being an
original; no two are exactly alike. Further, we are able to offer the
lithograph tinted with either amber or pastel hues. .
In dreams, it is said that wings
represent a release of creative forces, that they give us the ability to
understand and transcend the human condition. In religion, wings appear
on angels, fairies, spirits and demons. In mythology, winged creatures
are often messengers of the gods; they are a symbol of freedom and
spirituality and a character having one wing is said to be lost in
dreams.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
"This piece is a little bit of a departure. But
these gifts of the spirit are important qualities for us to remind each
other about. The words in gold leaf identify the three as their names
appear in the original Greek Biblical text. "
- James C. Christensen
Limited Edition
Masterwork Giclée canvas
handsigned by the artist
This king has placed himself in a position of
power, surrounded by his symbols of pride and puffery, but perhaps he
should be more self-aware to see that his kingdom" is precariously
balanced and it wouldn't take much to upset it.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
Across the sea of imagination, in the land of
“Once Upon a Time,” there exists the island home of Faery Tales. James
Christensen gives us a glimpse into the daily life of twenty-four of the
world’s most popular stories. The Emperor is resplendent in his new clothes,
Cinderella dances with her Prince, the Three Bears return home to find an
unexpected guest and Rapunzel lets her hair down. How many others do you
recognize?
All generations of any family
can find common ground in this bright and cheery ode to the ever
fascinating, fantasy world of our youth. Teach your children or
grandchildren your favorites and learn some new ones at the same time!
Included with each print or canvas is a key to all the faery tales in the
image.
Limited Edition Giclée
canvas
handsigned by the artist
The playwright Shakespeare
and the poet Shelley fell under her spell. Countless lovers dream of
her, waking to a happy bewitchment. Yet of all mortal men only one
artist—James C. Christensen—has ever been admitted to the royal circle,
privileged to meet the legendary Faerie Queen Mab and her attendants in
all their enchanting glory
Limited Edition Giclée
on paper
handsigned by the artist
For 2,400 years, physicians have honored
Hippocrates' sacred vow to treat a patient with empirical, scientific wisdom and
ethical consideration. However, as James C. Christensen wittily reveals in The
Oath, not all aspects of medical antiquity have stood the test of time and
Hippocrates could never have imagined some others. Just as attorneys everywhere
warmly responded to the self-deprecating humor of Christensen’s image A Lawyer
More Than Adequately Attired in Fine Print, we think members of the medical
profession will appreciate a healthy dose of The Oath. Accompanied by a
decorative Hippocratic Oath suitable for framing and a key of over 60 medical
references.
Limited Edition Giclée
on paper
handsigned by the artist
Life is a balance between fun and work,
spiritual qualities, education, nutrition … our lives are continuously
balancing acts. Of course, some of us make it a little more complex by
putting our only balancing foot on the back of a moving turtle. Why are
there three clocks in the image? Because we’re always balancing time.
There are many specific symbols in the
image. Most of them are far from obscure, but the little neat secrets
include a king statue, the symbol of the omnipresence of politics and
government. The skull is a spring hare skull, with a little label that
reads “spring hare – lost race.” It’s a joke, but it also symbolizes
mortality. The owl and the pussycat represent marriage, which is a major
balancing act. The Latin in the image means “Equilibrium (balance) is to
be desired.” In other words, as long as you remain upright, you’re okay.
Limited Edition Giclée
on paper
handsigned by the artist
Picture This
framing & gallery is an authorized representative for:
The Greenwich Workshop, Millpond Press, Somerset House,
The Western Lights Artists Group,
The Artist's Garden, Clearwater Publishing and other Fine Art publishers
Contact Us for more info.
The Pink Ribbon 
