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A Journey of the Imagination: the Art of James Christensen
One of the main strengths of this book is its accessibility to a wide range of art lovers. Color, pattern and intricacy appeal to some, while others are drawn to literary and artistic allusions, symbolism and social observations.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 14, 2015
We watched a movie called The Light Before Christmas based on the artwork of James Christensen. I loved his whimsical artwork and thus got this book that is filled with his art and writing.
June 1, 2024
Gorgeous fantasy art, including Once Upon a Time, The Royal Processional, and the Nursery Rhyme Triptych, accompanied by excellent text about creativity, art, fantasy, and spirituality.
December 30, 2022
I first found James Christensen after seeing the Hallmark movie Voyage of the Unicorn, then my cousin got the book, Voyage of the Basset, which the film was based on out of the library and we were awestruck by the incredible art. Ever since I got my own copy of Basset, I've wanted to read this book and it is Superb.
This book, unlike Basset, is not a story but James' own words on the importance of imagination, belief, creativity and how he thinks up his extraordinary painting ideas, he invites you to try it yourself and how to think outside the box and explore in a more carefree, childlike way. He explains his characters,their extravagant outfits, the floating fish and ships so often in his work. His narrative is funny and open, friendly and encouraging and he welcomes you inside his special world.
The paintings are exceptional, there's really no artists that can compare with his renaissance flavour, opulence, grotesque hunchbacks, surrealism and fairytale wonder rolled into one. I love the gems and jewels he paints,they really mesmerize me. There are a few additional paintings that go with Basset and I was most excited for those! He says that the Professor Aisling character is himself, which I really liked knowing.
This is a stunning book, if you love fantasy or fanciful art this will thrill you. It's a book to revisit many times and keep forever.
This book, unlike Basset, is not a story but James' own words on the importance of imagination, belief, creativity and how he thinks up his extraordinary painting ideas, he invites you to try it yourself and how to think outside the box and explore in a more carefree, childlike way. He explains his characters,their extravagant outfits, the floating fish and ships so often in his work. His narrative is funny and open, friendly and encouraging and he welcomes you inside his special world.
The paintings are exceptional, there's really no artists that can compare with his renaissance flavour, opulence, grotesque hunchbacks, surrealism and fairytale wonder rolled into one. I love the gems and jewels he paints,they really mesmerize me. There are a few additional paintings that go with Basset and I was most excited for those! He says that the Professor Aisling character is himself, which I really liked knowing.
This is a stunning book, if you love fantasy or fanciful art this will thrill you. It's a book to revisit many times and keep forever.
February 22, 2022
The artwork is simply beautiful. It's the sort of book that I could page through again and again. Each chapter starts with a section that talks about the artist's philosophy and there are little bits about the inspiration behind each plate shown.
January 24, 2019
I like James Christensen's imagination!
September 18, 2019
Interesting to learn some of the artists thoughts about his paintings and style.
July 17, 2025
exquisite paintings; only wish I could see them in person...
June 16, 2015
James C. Christensen's artwork has impressed and enchanted art lovers and fantasy aficionados for decades, and this book is a little insight into his process and philosophy. It including samples of his art throughout the years, from pen and ink sketches from his sketchbooks to finished and published paintings, and text describing his purposes and ideas.
I admit I'm not as enamored with Christensen's art as I used to be, but I'm glad to finally really look through his published books (which I have been doing in conjunction with the Dinotopia books of James Gurney, who coincidentally wrote the introduction for this book). I almost gave this book a three-star rating, but then I just couldn't bear to, the art really is pretty nice. He's certainly talented, and while you start to notice a lot of themes and trends in his art (seriously, how many floating fish or too many characters crammed into tiny ornate boats, or lumpy, overweight and opulently over-dressed dudes can you wade through before wanting to see something a little different?), some of which might not appeal so much to everyone, you can still appreciate the skill level, well-rounded approach and imaginative content. But the problem I had with this book was in the text. The short blurbs next to the paintings were great: concise, insightful, witty. The sidebars by the writer who compiled and edited the book were interesting too. But then there were several pages at the start of every chapter in which Christensen kind of blathered ambiguously for a while about imagination and magic and creativity and sunshine and rainbows and unicorns and whatever. It just seemed vague and superfluous and made the whole experience seem kind of frothy and (ironically) shallow. I just don't think he needed to write that much for an art coffee table book, and it made it seem a little self-indulgent. There were some interesting personal experiences related to the art that were pertinent and worthwhile, but most of those were repeated briefly in the captions under the relevant piece of art. Sometimes in these art books, I feel like it would be best if the artists would just back off a little and let the art speak for itself, at least mostly.
I've always liked James C. Christensen's work, and though I'm not such a big fan as I once was, this collection of his art is, if a little repetitive in content, pretty nice. His style is very distinctive, but there's a moderate variety of subjects presented here, in various stages of development, as well as text that provides insights to his process and philosophies on art, creativity and life in general. The writing at times seems a little pretentious and overlong, but it's worth skimming through for the bits of information that supplement the visuals. But seriously, if I read the phrase "just a little left of reality" (or some variation thereof) one more time...
I admit I'm not as enamored with Christensen's art as I used to be, but I'm glad to finally really look through his published books (which I have been doing in conjunction with the Dinotopia books of James Gurney, who coincidentally wrote the introduction for this book). I almost gave this book a three-star rating, but then I just couldn't bear to, the art really is pretty nice. He's certainly talented, and while you start to notice a lot of themes and trends in his art (seriously, how many floating fish or too many characters crammed into tiny ornate boats, or lumpy, overweight and opulently over-dressed dudes can you wade through before wanting to see something a little different?), some of which might not appeal so much to everyone, you can still appreciate the skill level, well-rounded approach and imaginative content. But the problem I had with this book was in the text. The short blurbs next to the paintings were great: concise, insightful, witty. The sidebars by the writer who compiled and edited the book were interesting too. But then there were several pages at the start of every chapter in which Christensen kind of blathered ambiguously for a while about imagination and magic and creativity and sunshine and rainbows and unicorns and whatever. It just seemed vague and superfluous and made the whole experience seem kind of frothy and (ironically) shallow. I just don't think he needed to write that much for an art coffee table book, and it made it seem a little self-indulgent. There were some interesting personal experiences related to the art that were pertinent and worthwhile, but most of those were repeated briefly in the captions under the relevant piece of art. Sometimes in these art books, I feel like it would be best if the artists would just back off a little and let the art speak for itself, at least mostly.
I've always liked James C. Christensen's work, and though I'm not such a big fan as I once was, this collection of his art is, if a little repetitive in content, pretty nice. His style is very distinctive, but there's a moderate variety of subjects presented here, in various stages of development, as well as text that provides insights to his process and philosophies on art, creativity and life in general. The writing at times seems a little pretentious and overlong, but it's worth skimming through for the bits of information that supplement the visuals. But seriously, if I read the phrase "just a little left of reality" (or some variation thereof) one more time...
June 6, 2008
James Christensen's art is truly magical. If you're familiar with his work, you'll understand why I dreamed fish were floating about my home after reading this.
I attended a lecture he gave called "Imagination 101." He made the following points:
1. Life is a journey--use your imagination.
2. Magic is around us everywhere, everyday.
3. We can all find ways to ease our burdens.
4. Art is a mirror of life and the experiences we share.
5. There is no favorite color, only relationships to color.
6. Humor makes all things bearable.
7. Imagination is the reordering of information we already have.
8. Art is communication and responsibility comes with that.
9. Credendo Vides, or Believing is Seeing.
I attended a lecture he gave called "Imagination 101." He made the following points:
1. Life is a journey--use your imagination.
2. Magic is around us everywhere, everyday.
3. We can all find ways to ease our burdens.
4. Art is a mirror of life and the experiences we share.
5. There is no favorite color, only relationships to color.
6. Humor makes all things bearable.
7. Imagination is the reordering of information we already have.
8. Art is communication and responsibility comes with that.
9. Credendo Vides, or Believing is Seeing.
February 2, 2014
Art wild, whimsical, and fascinating. Some times with striking beauty, but one looks at Christensen for such things as Two Men in Conversation Attempting to Put Things In Perspective, with its odd perspectives, or his sketch of a duke in a school of anchovies. (It's practically a signature of his, having a fish ambling around in the air.) Journey is a discussion of imagination enlivened by quite a lot of art. (Including sketches and things.) Marvelous to look at, with all the details.
August 24, 2008
This book is wonderful! A collection of some of the most popular paintings of James Christensen, plus lots of insights into the artwork from Christensen himself. Christensen is one of my favorite artists. This book is like candy to me. Oh yeah, one more thing, since I've had the pleasure of attending one of his lectures, so sorry, but my book is cooler than yours as mine is autographed.
August 4, 2007
An amazing artist - beautiful illustrations. I continue to love looking at this book for inspiration.
April 27, 2008
Stunning artwork.
April 27, 2008
Fascinating in every way. James Christensen is a amazing artist.
September 25, 2008
He is one of my favorite artists and my parents bought this book for me. The stories behind what he does are sometimes really funny and always clever. Great artwork.
December 5, 2008
Rich, rich, rich, in inspiration for the "student of whimsy"!! One of my very favorite artists--excellent craft as well as clever word-play within his work...
December 10, 2008
One of my favorite contemporary artists. This book somehow has found itself out of my possession--I think it is at my parents' house, probably delighting all my nieces and nephews!
August 15, 2009
I LOVE the art of James C. Christensen. He's probably my absolute fave...
June 27, 2012
Loved it. The art is extraordinary, and the text is fascinating.
November 11, 2013
Inspiration. Rediscovered.
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May 23, 2014Excellent. I can never decide which is my favorite of his works, though I frequently lean toward "Balancing Act."
August 24, 2012
An amazing artist who really sparks the imagination. The story offers a good background.
Read
March 12, 2018Very much enjoyed. I love his art and it was fun to see so many of of his paintings and read about them.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews