My name is Jesse, and I grew up in Golden, Colorado, and have become a local artist and art teacher. I paint large format acrylic landscapes from my travels throughout the state. I try to capture the vibrancy of the seasons throughout our Colorado scenery. I show my work at Mountain Toad Brewery and at Eddyline Brewing in Buena Vista.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career/accomplishments. What do you love most about what you do?
I recently won First Place-Painting at the Golden Fine Arts Festival and have several large murals throughout the Golden community. I have shown my work at multiple locations and had several beer labels with Eddyline Brewery. My favorite aspect about what I do is when I get to see someone connect with a painting.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants or breweries in our community?
Obviously, my favorite brewery is Mountain Toad. They offer the best atmosphere both inside and out. My wife and I love to travel down to the Eddy Taproom & Hotel for early lunch and a hike along Clear Creek.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I grew up in Golden and went to Golden High School. I am a Golden native and have seen this community grow and change throughout my 42 years.
Q: What is one of your favorite hiking or biking trails?
My favorite hike is taking my kids along the newly developed trails along Clear Creek. And my favorite biking is riding Lookout Mountain.
Q: What advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago?
Buy more property. Golden is a special place, and we have to protect it.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
When I was a kid, I remember going to the five-and-dime store and being able to have small bits of candy back in the day when Golden was not a destination. I also remember going on the Coors tour back when they had tour guides and my grandfather would always come to visit and take trips to the tasting room and gift shop.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Golden has the unique quality of being a ski town without a ski mountain. We offer a destination without having a resort. This is both a wonderful benefit and a hardship as we try to protect our community. Golden offers an amazing array of activities for everyone, and that’s what draws the community together.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Many people don’t know that I am a Golden native.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife is my driving force in my artistic pursuits.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Local, home, happy
