First Time Blogger / James C. Christensen

I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing right now, but I think I'll get the hang of things in a hurry since my personality boarders on narcissism and I can't think of anything on the planet more self gratifying that blogging...well that's not entirely true, but blogging is at least a close second.

I thought that I'd warm up with an an artist that I have always admired. He works primarily in two dimensions and with classic media: oil, acrylic, canvas, etc., but he has started converting some of his popular images into three dimensional pieces.  It seems appropriate to talk about him now since one, we are trying to convert 2D sketches into a 3D work in studio/lab currently, and two, since I already know his work, I have less research to do for this first blog post.

The not particularly hip, yet undeniably skilled, James C. Christensen.

So, the title of this pieces just so happens to be 'Your Place or Mine'. It's hilarious because both of these delightful characters seemingly passing on the street, are each carrying their own lovely species of flat fish called a Plaice.  There will never BE a better opportunity for a smoother pick-up line! I selected this piece because it epitomizes 'classic' Christensen: funny, fantastical characters in elaborate costume, an inside joke or pun, and his wonderful fish. It showcases his incredible mastery of representational art, as well as his playful sense of humor....the mans pocket watch reads the eleventh hour! It begs the viewer speculate what the woman's answer will be.


                                           

'Sleeper Lost in Dreams' acrylic on canvas.  This is an example of Christensen's skill at creating nearly perfect illusion.  He takes naturalism to the extremes of Michelangelo or Da Vinci in this piece, and perhaps fittingly so since the subject is highly spiritual and religious.  It almost looks like the subject would be at home on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel except for the fact that this angel is most likely Mormon like Christensen himself and not a Catholic angle.  (Since my sense of humor is pretty droll, and my sarcasm nearly undetectable, I'm just going to go ahead and clarify.  I'm being facetious.)  The use of shadow in this piece is quite pronounced as is the uncharacteristic lack of bright color.  For his religious works, Christensen often works with a much more subdued pallet. The asymmetry of the piece is also very evocative of something...it opens up a lot of speculation for me as to why he chose to paint this subject injured? deformed? flawed? imbalanced?

I don't particularly like this painting.  I think it's the religious subject for one--it's LDS art at this point, and I also have a problem with the chicks forehead. So I guess its really the model selection that I have a problem with.

                                                                       
In this video, James Christensen discusses some of the challenges of creating a three dimensional piece of work based on a two dimensional original work.  It also showcases several of his bronze medium sculptures.