Catching Up With Jaime Molina This Year's Breckenridge Brewery X Never Summer Artist Series Snowboard Designer
We had a chance to catch up with Jaime Molina the designer of this years Breckenridge Brewery Artist Series Snowboard. Each year the brewery sets out to choose a designer to come up with an amazing design for their upcoming snowboard in partnership with Never Summer Industries. This year local favorite (one of ours) Jaime Molina got the distinct honor. Molina goes by the moniker Cutty Up on Instagram and you have probably seen some of his work all over town. With a unique style it was only fitting to come up with this years amazing board. The board will be on hand at the Opening Day Party to take place on Saturday November 10th at Punch Bowl.
U5280: How long have you been doing art?
Jaime: I've been making things my whole life I guess. It's been a long road to making a living off of my art solely, but it's been worth the wait.
U5280: How did you get started?
Jaime: Like I said, I've been making art in various forms my whole life, but eventually I studied art at Metro State and got a BFA with an emphasis in printmaking. After that I started having art shows around town and I just kept building things from there.
U5280: If you weren’t doing art, what other passions or professions would you have chosen?
Jaime: I really enjoy cooking. Maybe Culinary school? I used to do home remodeling and I really enjoyed that as well. The process of tearing things down and seeing how things are made has always fascinated me. I used to take apart electronics and other appliances when I was little to see how they worked. It's kind of a similar process. With the home remodeling I had the chance to build it back up in a new way which is pretty gratifying.
U5280: There seems to be a rebirth in street art in Denver, how does it feel being part of that movement?
Jaime: There are so many great artists and makers here in Denver. I'm super grateful that I get to make art in an era where artists here are getting recognition for their work from a much broader audience. The high visibility and impact that street art and graffiti have is a valuable tool for artists to reach people that may not otherwise discover art in traditional formats. These new additions, in the forms of murals and other street installations, are valuable assets to the culturural landscape of Denver. I always point out to people that question whether it's worth it for the city of Denver or private businesses to invest in these types of works, that this is the kind of thing that people will remember when they visit our city. No one will go home and tell their friends about the fantastic billboards and advertising we have here. They will share photos of vibrant art and culture and think of the connection they had to it. This not only spreads the artwork of local artists, and opportunities for them, but it also shows what we are about here.
U5280: You have some amazing pieces all throughout our city, what has been your favorite and why?
Jaime: Thank you for the compliment! I don't have a favorite piece. They are each my favorite until the next one haha. By that I mean that they are all different specifically because each piece is in a different location and each design is based on that unique site. What I enjoy the most about making work in the street is that you get to know each location so well. Each corner or pocket in this city has it's own vibe and getting to connect with that particular spot is to me what it's all about. As an artist, the people you meet while you are installing the work are the same ones that live with the art everyday after you pack up and leave. For me personally, it's important to have a connection to the community so that they will have a connection to the art. That's the goal anyway.
U5280: How did the partnership with Breck come about?
Jaime: Ryan over at Breckenridge Brewery contacted me a while back about doing a design for their artist series board, but due to some schedule conflicts I wasn't able to participate. Fortunately we were able to circle back and make it happen this year! They have been super awesome to work with.
U5280: If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why?
Jaime: Leonardo Da Vinci because I feel like he's equal parts artist and inventor.
U5280: How did the theme for the Breck Brew come about, it seems like every board in the series so far has told a story?
Jaime: Snowboarding has always been very special to me. It's given me some of the most physically surreal moments in my life as well as some of the best memories with my friends and family. In light of this special connection, I wanted to create a design to honor everyone that holds winter in a high regard. Every year I start seeing people get anxious for winter to come posting tons of antsy social media posts about missing snowboarding and stuff like that. I had this idea of illustrating Old Man Winter conjuring up snow. Kind of like a Santa Claus specifically for winter people creating a blanket of powdery snow to warm their hearts.
U5280: Finally what is your favorite Breckenridge Beer?
Jaime: Hmmmmm really tough call. I think it changes depending on when you ask me. A couple months ago I would have said the Agave Wheat. At this moment it's the Vanilla Porter.
Breckenridge Brewery Opening Day Party Is Headed Our Way!
As the leaves begin to change colors and temperatures begin to dip, one thing is for certain in Colorado. The annual Opening Day Party by Breckenridge Brewery and Never Summer ushers in the beginning of the snowboard and ski season. In what has become a right of passage for the popular time of year here in our state, the popular event brings out an array of amazing activities and music to Punch Bowl Social every year now. We have been able to attend this event for a few years now and consider it to be one of the best our city has to offer. The event will take place on November 10th this year and festivities start ay 6:00 PM.
Artist Jaime Molina.
Every year Colorado’s own Breckenridge Brewery and Never Summer Industries team up to prepare for Opening Day of the winter sports season and throw one huge party. Central to Opening Day celebrations is the creation of the "Artist Series" Breckenridge Brewery Never Summer snowboard featuring, custom artwork crafted into a high-performance all-mountain board. This year we are thrilled to announce that well-known local Denver artist Jaime Molina, best known by the pseudonym Cutty Up, has developed the design for the board this year. As you may know, Cutty Up is best known for his impressive murals seen throughout the city including RiNO, Union Station and Sloan's Lake.
As in the past, this year will feature music courtesy of Gin Doctors who will holding down live band karaoke. Also 7Twenty Boardshop will be tuning up your skis and snowboards with complimentary waxing. And finally Never Summer will be premiering their movie for all to see.
Here is your sneak peek at this years amazing board. Be sure to keep following us on our social media (rumor has it we may be giving one of these away to a lucky winner). Stay tuned for all the latest on this awesome event.