Author Archive: Jim Christiansen
Jim Christiansen, award winning watercolor artist, cartoonist and member of many art groups moved to Modesto in 1977. Born in Riverside, California, and attended University of California, Riverside. Jim often shows around Modesto, does a poster or two, and has been host of the art walk events at State Theatre and Jax on H. Jim has been writing the art notes column several years for Modesto View.

Fall Into Art
Fall Into Art By Jim Christiansen September is the month of Labor Day weekend, Oktoberfest season, Fall Festivals, and Fall Art Classes. The Third Thursday Art Walk is on September 14, and as Modesto View often focuses on music and community events, it’s worth noting that the art venues are multi-taskers. The Modesto Conservator, located […]

Hot August Art
ArtView Hot August ArtBy Jim Christiansen The Art Scene is hoping that Hot August Nights will be cooler than July’s triple-digit temperatures. The weather forecast says this may be the case, but there were a few things that made July so hot in the arts. Musicians and friends performed a concert to say goodbye to […]

Art is Modestocana
Art is ModestocanaBy Jim Christiansen Our Modesto View July theme is Modestocana/Americana, celebrating the history of Modesto. 150th Fourth of July Parade, Graffiti Summer, MoBand, and more. Images of Modesto icons on display at the Chartreuse Muse with paintings by Bill Harris and Jonathon Troxler with new ceramics by Don Hall, and bicycle and airplane themes of Dean […]

Cars and the Arts
ArtView: Cars and the ArtsBy Jim Christiansen As we approach the 50th anniversary of American Graffiti’s release, Cars, and the Arts will begin June at Kruse-Lucas Imports Gallery on Tully Road. From June through August, photographer Rick Raef will showcase his Graffiti Car Art Exhibit, celebrating Modesto and California Car Culture. All proceeds from the […]

May the Art Be With You
May the Art Be With You By Jim Christiansen May the Fourth be with you. April was taken up with the Stanislaus Artist Open Studio for 50 artists on the weekend tour. There was no time during the event to catch up with other artists while hosting visitors at the home studio. I was in studio […]

Artistic Synergy
Art View Artistic SynergyBy Jim Christiansen February, only 28 days, Black History month, thoughts of love and Valentines, gift shopping, collaborative synergy, and artistic collaborative collisions. The second month of 2023 of workshops and classes, local artists at work, and of course, art for sale. Get your visits to the gallery and local venue gift […]

Holiday Shopping
Art View Holiday Shopping By Jim Christiansen Holiday shopping is in full swing this month. Art Walk comes up 10 days before Christmas on December 15, and I’ll be one of the Artists with a table at Mistlin Gallery with wine frogs, coffee cats, calendars for sale, along with other local CCAA member Artists. All […]

Autumn Colors
ArtView: Autumn ColorsBy Jim Christiansen October, the month of Autumn leaves, magic in the air, and even “Monster In Me”. Mid-month is my birthday, and I’ve often picked the “Monster in Me” theme participating in the “Art of Hope”-Art Restores Kids, Cricket’s Hope Fundraiser which will be held again in the Del Rio area on […]

Art View: Hot August Art
Art View: Hot August Art By Jim Christiansen Hot August Nights in the 209, a time of car shows, late summer cruising, kid’s art camps, heated Art Walk and pop-up Art and Crafter shows. Modesto lost a long-time supporter, and sometimes guerilla promoter of many of these fun community activities in Carman King. Otherwise known […]

ArtView- No Art Drought
By Jim Christiansen Into the heart of Summer, no drought in Art in Modesto. Summer classes and workshops going on at Mistlin Gallery, Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, Dragonfly Art for Life. First Friday Market will open the month, July 1, an extended 4th of July weekend. Kristy Moore and the BlackHearts artists among the […]

ArtView: Hot Summer Nights
ArtView: Hot Summer NightsBy Jim Christiansen Time for the Hot summer nights. June 3 is the First Friday Market downtown on Tenth Street. More art vendors in this evolving event. Chartreuse Muse plans a demo outside the gallery. Graffiti USA Car Museum will have an Open House and BBQ Chicken dinner and open the gift […]

ArtView: April Showers Us With Art
ArtView: April Showers Us With ArtBy Jim Christiansen April showers us with art quilts at MJC East and Mistlin Gallery, a new show at Chartreuse Muse. Janet Hardie is at the Kruse-Lucas gallery on Tully Rd, across the street from the MJC Art Gallery, and another Third Thursday Art Walk in Mix. Do not be […]

ArtView: Love For The Arts
ArtView: Love For The ArtsJim Christiansen February, the month of Valentine’s and Love, and love for the arts. What I love about Modesto and 209 we do have a diversity in the fine arts, music scene, dance, theatre, poetry, photography and more. So let’s dig into the candy box and see what is up in […]

ArtView: New Beginnings
ArtView: New BeginningsBy Jim Christiansen New beginnings and Auld Lang Syne. 2022 is here, but first, wrap up old business from 2021. Iconic venue Barkin Dog Grill has hosted its last art on the walls with the announced closing in December. Hanibal Yadegar has been a stalwart supporter of the arts in downtown Modesto for […]

ArtView: Window Shopping
ArtView: Window ShoppingBy Jim Christiansen Window shopping and Holiday browsing for cards, gifts, jewelry, or something for your walls. December is always a month when the artists, crafters, artisans come out. Great time to peek in the windows, the smaller item displays, the card racks, at our local art block venues. I had to stop […]