Studio Visit: Jaime Molina

Jaime Molina is one of my favorite Denver artists. I first became obsessed with his work when I saw his "cutty heads" hanging in a local coffee shop. Then, I started to see his work EVERYWHERE. Galleries. Streets. Boutiques. Online.

cutty heads

Jaime works from a basement studio in his home. Carved wooden sculptures, large-scale paintings, and vintage treasures line the walls.

The space is packed with tools and art supplies that will turn into street art, sculptures, paintings, and jewelry. The floors are covered in rag rugs. An old pair of cowboy boots leans against the closet door.

I asked Jaime about the wooden skull perched on the top shelf. He made it while living in Buenos Aires. The wood came from fruit crates that the vegetable markets place in the trash each night.

Glass bottles filled with vintage hardware sit below.  "Old nails rust. New nails don't."

Jaime's nickname came from a thrill-seeking friend who would visit him often. "Cutty up," he would say, or "Let's get cutty."

Cutty up = Let's party. Let's rumble. Let's do this.

Childhood summers spent with his mother's family in Espanola, New Mexico helped shape Jaime’s style and philosophy towards art. Buenos Aires also continues to provide major inspiration.

carving a skull from a cork

painted cork skull

"For me, skulls represent my obligations to myself, my family and others. They are a reminder for me to do my best and make it all count."

pencil skulls necklace

"Art is supposed to reach normal people. I like my art to speak for itself. There is no pretense. It is what it is."

For more of Jaime:

-His website

-His Facebook fanpage

-His Instragram: @cuttyup