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.
Fireworks on the Tapestry of the Sky
Fireworks on the Tapestry of the SkyBy Jim Christiansen It is the fireworks month of July, starting with a bang of a holiday week with the return of the DoMo First Friday Market on July 5, extending the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Local artists, crafters, vendors, and music fill 10th Street. Tenth Street will […]
The Arts are Heating Up Downtown Modesto
The Arts are Heating Up Downtown ModestoBy Jim Christiansen Summertime heats up this month. The art scene weathered the May Day alerts that the local Art Scene is transitioning, with iconic gallery closings and new art walk maps still needing a tune-up. Maybe extended hours are needed to get everywhere to see the art, meet […]
Open Studio and Closing Doors
Open Studio and Closing Doors By Jim Christiansen Time for Stanislaus Artist Open Studio weekend. April 13 and 14, 49 Artists open 26 studio and home venues in Turlock, Hughson, Ceres, Modesto, Oakdale, and Knight’s Ferry. Meet the artists, see where they create, and buy some Art. Many of the artists teach classes, do demonstrations, and have information […]
March Into the Arts
March Into the ArtsBy Jim Christiansen March is here already, and we have survived Godzilla vs Modesto in February at the State Theatre, and hoping for a repeat. February 18, Hocus Manriquez and crew, Leon Henry, Zsanise, and Zspirit unveiled Mural 3 for Stanislaus Arts Council Heartland Grant at Hocus Ink in Ceres. The previous […]
Art Is In The Air
Art View, Art is in the Air By Jim ChristiansenFebruary is the month when you might find Valentine’s Art gifts cheaper than chocolates in our downtown Art District. The galleries have art and crafter gifts at The Chartreuse Muse, Peer Recovery Art Project, Mistlin Gallery, Dragonfly Art for Life, along with Intrinsic Elements, Beads of […]
New Year New View
Art View: New Year New ViewBy Jim Christiansen Happy New Year. We go into 2024 with new resolutions, new activities, and changes to some longstanding traditions. Here is some of what is coming up in the Modesto Art Scene in the coming year. January 28 is the last day to enter the Stanislaus Artist Open […]
Art Makes a Great Gift
ArtView Art Makes Great GiftsBy Jim Christiansen December, our last 31 days of 2023, includes holiday shopping days and end-of-the-year closeouts. If you went to the end-of-November Shop Local Saturday, with Handmade Arts and resurrected Mod Shop, thank you for supporting local artists. You can still resist the big box stores and find locally created gift ideas […]
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 […]
