James C Christensen- superstitions

While looking for different superstitons i came across the work of James C Christensen. Most of his work is not really that specific for my work he focuses alot around the idea of fables, tho one of his peices is entitled superstitions. Inspired by the world's myths, fables and tales of imagination, James C. Christensen wants his work to add up to more than a beautiful - if sometimes "curious" looking work of art. The image is a large scale print with so many superstitions and explinations, everything has a reason for being in the image. 

"I don't consider myself a superstitious person, but, knock wood, I've never had to deal with a lot of the problems these characters do. Their town is built over the ocean on crumbling pillars, so they can't afford to do anything to incur any kind of bad luck.

And, although our own houses may not be built on sand or stilts, life in the modern day age, in its own way, is nearly as precarious as the one I've pictured. They get rampant pestilence and we get power spikes which ruin our RAMs and ROMs.

Life is precarious. Who hasn't worried about walking under ladders or seeing that black cat cross our path? It was really fun to see to what extremes we will go, as a human family, to avoid bad luck. Best of luck, everyone! "

-James Christensen

Rather a similar stance to which ive taken with my imagery, hes created a story of a mythical town based around the idea of superstitions. In total there are 72 superstitions in the one image, and the image comes with its own key:

1.  Moon Luck

 2.  Falling Stars

 3.  Wishing Stars

 4.  Red Sky at Night

 5.  Candle in the Window

 6.  Stork's Nest

 7.  Chimney Sweep

 8.  Relic Bones in Walls

 9.  Swallow and Nest

 10. Don't Stomp That Spider

 11. Widow's Peak

 12. Tossing Burnt Toast

 13. Poor Little Number Thirteen

 14. Leaving Fruit in the Tree

 15. Hanging Eggs Outside

 16. The King's Healing Touch

 17. Catching Leaves

 18. Oranges

 19. A Frog in the Mouth

 20. Lizard-Licking

 21. Sneezing

 22. Four-Leafed Clover

 23. Knocking on Wood

 24. Two Crows

 25. Horseshoe

 26. Beware the Black Cat...Maybe    

 27. Protected by  

     the Cross

 28. Tossing Salt over

     Your Shoulder

 29. Spitting for Luck

 30. Broken Mirror

     Syndrome         

 31. Butterflies

 32. Three Magpies Means

     a Wedding

 33.  A Kiss for Luck

 34.  Mistletoe

 35.  Holly

 36.  Ivy's Lucky for

      the Groom

 37.  Roses for Luck in Love

 38.  Something Old,

      Something New

  39. Something Borrowed

  40. Something Blue

  41. Rice Thrown for Luck

  42. Long Hair

  43. Throwing Wedding

       Cake

  44. Throwing the Bride's

      Bouquet

  45. Third Finger for the

      Ring

  46. Dropping a Spoon

  47. Robin Redbreast

  48. Walking under a Ladder

  49. Crossing One's

      Fingers

  50. Garlic Protection

  51. Opening an

      Umbrella Indoors

  52. Wishbone

  53. Feather for Luck

  54. Rub a Hunchback's

      Hump

  55. Don't Scare That Toad

  56. Beetle Work

  57. Six Fingers Are Lucky

  58. Different Socks

  59. Itchy Foot

  60. King of Mackerel

  61. Put a Knife in a Mast

  62. Always Enter a Boat

      from the Right

  63. Whistling on a Ship

  64. Throwing a Broom

  65. Women on a Ship

      Are Unlucky

  66. Cats Are Lucky on

      a Ship

  67. A Peg Leg is Lucky

  68. Porpoise Protection

  69. Seagulls Ashore

  70. The Kingfisher

      Weathervane

  71. Swans' Spirits

  72. The Hare's or

      Rabbit's Foot

I actually admire being able to fit 72 different superstitions into one painting. I also really like the use of the key, maybe there would be a way in which i could fit in some sort of key into my book? something to look into at a later date.