James was born in 1942 and he is an american artist. His main body of work, mostly paintings, is heavily influenced by fantasy themes. Even his small body of religious work shows heavy fantasy influence. Christensen says his inspirations are myths, fables, fantasies, and tales of imagination. Most of Christensen's paintings have a philosophical message. He is loath to describe them, however, preferring to allow the viewer to discern their own message. Not employed in all his paintings, his trademark is a flying or floating fish, often on a leash.