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Internationally-renowned artist and Utahn James Christensen is making appearances at book stores and galleries this month, signing copies of a new book with hundreds of his works. It's called "Men and Angels."
The interaction of men and angels is talked about a lot this time of year, but Christensen thinks and creates on this subject every day.
"I'm not satisfied with 90 percent of the paintings when they're done, and I want them just to go away and move on and have a life," Christensen said.
A whimsical personality comes forth on canvas. Some call him a living legend, but Christensen simply expresses through his paintbrushes what inspires him.
His new book is a stunning oversized, coffee-table book and contains some 300 Christensen paintings and sketches. It covers the ethereal and the mundane in a splash of color and character.
"I'm intrigued with angels. I think they represent beauty and charity and truth and comfort and joy. I mean, we hear those words used biblically. My angels do have wings because they're wonderful symbols of what an angelic character is," Christensen said.
His imagination brings forth myths and fables and tales of the Renaissance era, but his message is ageless. "My little poufy guys and men deal with social situations, interactions, life issues -- the things that we as men and women deal with on this earth. The angels represent that better part and that connection with the eternal," Christensen explained.
As the artist painstakingly brushes every stroke on a new work, the new book from Greenwich Workshop underscores his magnum opus: his life's creations.
"They said to me, 'We don't think you're gonna die, Jim. But if you do, this would be a good thing to leave behind,'" Christensen laughed.
"Men and Angels" is available at bookstores throughout the state, and many galleries sell his art and prints. James Christensen will hosting book signings for "Men and Angels" at several locations across the Wasatch Front. If you would like to attend one, see the list below:
- Friday, December 5, 2008 -- 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Canyon Gallery (265 S. Mountain Rd., Fruit Heights)
- Saturday, December 6, 2008 -- Noon to 1 p.m. at the Salt Lake City Library Urban Room (210 E. 400 S., Salt Lake City)
- Saturday, December 6, 2008 -- 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Repartee Gallery in University Mall (575 E. University Parkway, Orem)
- Friday, December 12, 2008 -- 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Repartee Gallery at Deseret Book in Salt Lake City (20 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City)
- Saturday, December 13, 2008 -- Noon to 1 p.m. at Deseret Book in Layton Hills Mall (1096 Layton Hills Mall, Layton)
- Saturday, December 13, 2008 -- 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Repartee Gallery in Bountiful (175 N. 500 W., Bountiful)
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
