#Breckenridge, Colorado.
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| Christian Murdock / The Gazette |
In its 52nd year in existence, Ullr Fest in Breckenridge is one of the most anticipated weeks of the winter for locals and travelers alike. The camaraderie, the games, the parade and the overall energy draw people from all over the country. Men, women and children lining the streets of Breckenridge in horned hats and Norse clothing is a common sight during Ullr week as homage to Ullr, the Norse god of snow.
Capturing the energy, spirit and fun of Ullr and Ullr Fest in painted form is a daunting task. Each year, the town of Breckenridge makes a call to artists to submit drawings and paintings to be considered for the Ullr Fest poster. The featured art for 2015 is by professional painter David V. Gonzales. Gonzales’ work is shown locally at Art on a Whim Gallery in Breckenridge.
Gonzales has been painting professionally the majority of his life. He began showing his work at the young age of 12, and by the time he was 17, he had received the Governor’s Award in New Mexico and had his art on display in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, as well as the governor’s mansion in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His work has been included in several National Museum Traveling Exhibits sponsored by the Dow Corp. and an International Exhibit where his art was displayed next to the artwork of Keith Haring, who is famous for his contribution to the Pop Art Movement.
Gonzales exploded onto the Breckenridge art scene this summer upon being selected to represent the town with the Stage 5 Pro Cycling Challenge Poster. He is known for painting motion and transferring the speed of sports into two-dimensional scenes that make viewers feel as if they are witnessing athletic feats as they are happening. Gonzales has fallen in love with Breckenridge over the past several months, having witnessed the excitement of the Pro Cycling Challenge and the opening of the 2014-15 ski season. As a result, he strives to emulate the town’s character and liveliness in all of his recent works.
Gonzales, primarily painting with acrylics on artist panel, has created two amazing scenes of Ullr Fest for this winter. The first, which was chosen for the official town of Breckenridge Ullr Fest poster, captures Ullr jumping off a feature in Breckenridge’s Park Lane Terrain Park on Peak 8. The piece, aptly titled “Ullr Flipping for Snow,” captures the joy and excitement that is Ullr Fest and Ullympics. The image is based on Colorado professional freestyle skier and former Team Summit member Bobby Brown. The image has been converted into a poster available from the Art on a Whim Gallery. The original painting is also on display at Art on a Whim.
The second piece Gonzales has created for Ullr Fest is titled, “Ullr Calling in the Snow.” The Ullr Fest parade is the highlight of the week. Dozens of outrageous floats head down Main Street in Breckenridge. “Ullr Calling in the Snow” depicts Ullr hooting and hollering during the parade with sled dogs.
Gonzales will be in Art on a Whim Gallery in Breckenridge from Thursday, Jan. 15, through Saturday, Jan. 17. His demonstrations are a sight to be seen. Gonzales works quickly to capture the energy and excitement in each of his paintings.
Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.
