Living a Faery Tale

How long have you known me? Do you know about my obsession with myths and folklore? Do you know that my daughter is named after my mythology professor from BYU? I have more than a passing interest in all things fairy tale. In fact, if you ever come across a good re-telling of a fairy tale, please let me know! (But I've already read lots of them...)

I also have another obsession - well, several, really but this post is just about these two. James Christensen. He's an artist and specializes in the mythical and fantasy genres. His work is incredibly detailed. You will discover something you didn't notice before every time you look at one. Fortunately, he is local artist, which means I've actually had the pleasure of meeting the man! I went to a seminar he gave at a local art gallery about finding your inner imagination. He showed scraps of doodles he did while waiting in line, at a doctor's office or during church meetings. I'd love to sit behind this guy at church and watch what he comes up with! It was a great experience. A few months after, I saw him at a restaurant and about hyperventilated. Then there was the segment on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, where a Utah family had a little girl and "local artist, James Christensen" used his trademark style to make a painting of the little girl into one of his fairies. The parents' comment? "Oh, hey! That kinda looks like you!" They had no idea what they had.

So why am I rambling about fairy tales and an artist? Because my husband loves me. For years, seriously...like 10 years...I have coveted a James Christensen piece. They aren't exceptionally expensive but I am so incredibly impulsive that I didn't want to buy the first one I got my hands on only to regret it later when something better suited came along. So I've waited. Waiting, combined with my husband's irrational fear of punching holes in walls, has left my walls utterly bare these many years. The local gallery probably got sick of me coming in and ogling the Christensens they had. But I had my list. Ten works of art that I was desperately in love with and dreamed about owning some day. Guess what, my dear reader? Today is that some day!


This is Faery Tales. My favorite. I've loved this one since the moment I laid eyes on it, when we were poor college students with no budget for artwork. It's a compilation of fairy tales, all mingled and strung together for one picture. Love it, love it, LOVE IT! And it's mine! Had to hold our breath, as there were only two available for purchase. The first one was recently sold. But we got the second one! Last night we went the gallery, where we approved the canvas and chose the frame. The frame is pretty cool, too. It's made from burl wood. It looks unreal, itself, so goes great with a picture of fairy tales.

While we were looking at the canvas for my beloved art, there were a stack of smaller canvases, featuring another of the talented Mr. Christensen's work. These had just recently sold out, so were now being sold for twice the price. It, too, was another one that made me smile whenever I saw it.


It's called False Magic. Floating fish are another one of Christensen's trademarks, meant to signify that there is something special there. Obviously, this one isn't like the real floating fish. And that's why I love it. Reminds me that I don't have to pretend to be something else, that I have my own floating fish, whether anyone else sees them or not. The art dealer gave us a great deal on it and we couldn't resist. So in a little more than two weeks, find a reason to stop by my house...you will get to see them up close and personal.

On the way home, I couldn't stop smiling!

Me: Admit it.
The Man: What?
Me: Come on, just admit that you love me.
The Man: (boyish grin)
Me: I knew it! You love me.

And then we held hands.