Biography
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David Vincent Gonzales was born on February 3, 1971, on a U.S. Air Force Base in Wiesbaden, Germany. He grew up in Santa Fe, N.M., enjoying the benefits of belonging to a large, close-knit extended family. His family has been well-rooted in the area for 5 generations, which include many well-known artists, such as wood carver Ben Ortega and weavers Jose and Pedro Rodriguez from the Canyon Road District. “As far back as I can remember, I have been working with art materials to create something based upon my observations.” (David Vincent Gonzales)
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It was evident in his youth that Gonzales was a gifted and talented artist. He attended St. Catherine’s Indian School in Santa Fe and began exhibiting his work at the young age of 12. By the time he was 17, his work was displayed in the Smithsonian and simultaneously received the New Mexico Governor’s Award. These accolades led to his art being featured in the Washington Tunnel in D.C. and the Governor's Mansion in Santa Fe, N.M. He was chosen by the Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation to attend a two-week intensive creative program, which shaped Gonzales' decision to become a practicing artist. After high school, Gonzales received a full scholarship to the San Antonio Art Institute. A few years later, he attended the Kansas City Art Institute. It was at this time, in 1993, that David’s abstractions were chosen to be in an exhibit that included works by Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Rauschenberg, and many other famous artists. His works have been included in several National Museum Traveling Exhibits and an International Exhibit where his art was displayed with the work of Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf, who are famous for their contribution to the Pop Art Movement.
Throughout David's career, his artwork has received numerous prestigious awards, and he has been awarded as the official artist for several national and international festivals and sporting events. He has collaborated with Olympian World Cup alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn, Tour de France legend Greg LeMond, and Warren Miller film star, writer, director, and philanthropist Chris Anthony to help raise money for inner-city youth. The Tiger Woods Foundation commissioned David to paint Tiger winning the 2019 Masters.
David's early work reflects his heritage, rich in Native American and Hispanic Cultural Traditions, but quickly expanded to include many styles and a multitude of mediums. Using oils, acrylics, watercolor, pencils, pastels, wood, and bronze, He has created 2 and 3-dimensional pieces ranging from photo-realism to abstract. He masterfully expresses his fascination with relative objects moving through space and time. It is this movement of related things that unifies his diverse body of work. It is what makes his art unique and easily recognizable. His work is not a static representation of a single moment in time; rather, they are more like living entities with a past, present, and future, ever moving and unfolding. David Vincent Gonzales is the culmination of the artistic talent that has moved throughout his family for generations.
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Public and Private Collections:
Indian Arts Research Center . Santa Fe, NM
United States Bicycling Hall of Fame . Davis, CA
El Paso County Courthouse . Colorado Springs, CO
Manitou Springs Public Library . CO
Fountain Public Library . CO
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum . CO
Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce . CO
Slovenia Embassy Art Collection . Washington DC
Education:
1990-1995 . Bachelor of Fine Arts
San Antonio Art Institute, TX .
Kansas City Art Institute, KS .
University of Southern Colorado, CO
Television:
PBS Roadtrip Television . CO
Fox 21 News . Colorado Springs, CO
KRQE News 13 . Albuquerque, NM
Denver 9 News . CO
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Selective Exhibits:
2024 Auric Gallery 'Gratitude', Colorado Springs, CO . 2 Feb-23 Feb 2024
2023 Manitou Art Center 'Manitou, the Art of the Great Spirit', Manitou Springs, CO . 6 Oct - 1 Nov 2023
2016 Red Dot Miami & Artexpo New York, Santa Fe, and Indian Wells, selected by Redwood Media Group
2001 The UFO Show International, Gallery of Contemporary Art, University of Colorado . 15 Dec 2000 - 2 Feb 2021
1999 Manitou Art Center 'Energy' Group show, Manitou Springs, CO
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Awards & Distinctions:
. Environmental Impact Art Exhibit . Dow Chemical . Smithsonian . New York Academy of Arts and Sciences . 1987
​. New Mexico Governor's Award . 1987
. Marie Walsh Art Recipient . 1988
​. Best Raw Artist . Awarded by the Pure Living Expo. Thousand Oaks, CA . 2014
​. A Top Award Winner . Endowed by Plein-Air Magazine at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Jackson, WY . 2016
​. Awarded as “1 of the Top 10 Artists of the Year” through Redwood Media Group . OH . 2016
​. 21st Annual Quick Draw Artist. Sale and Auction. Fall Arts Festival. Jackson Hole, WY . 2017. 2018
​. Awarded Best Commemorative Poster by the International Festivals & Events Association . 2017
​. Featured Artist of the Year. Selected by the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region . 2021
. Chosen as a Who's Who Marquis Listee 2024
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Local, National, and International Official Poster Artist for Sporting and Festival Events​:
. USA Pro Challenge . 2014 . 2015
. Lindsey Vonn Foundation . 2018
. 29029 Everesting . Utah/Vermont . 2019
. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta . 2017
. Pikes Peak USA Cycling Hill Climb . 2015
. Pikes Peak Marathon + Ascent International . 2015 . 2016 . 2017 . 2018 . 2019 . 2021. 2022 . 2023 . 2024
. National Reparatory Orchestra . 2016 . 2017
. Vail Film Festival. 2016 . 2017. 2018
. Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships . 2017 . 2018 . 2019 . 2020
. Colorado Labor Day Lift Off . 2016
. LOTOJA - USAC-Sactioned Bicycle Race . 2016 . 2017. 2018 . 2019 . 2021. 2022 . 2023 . 2024
. Breckenridge Ullr Fest . 2015 . 2018 . 2019
. Colorado Association of Transit Agencies . 2015
. Names and Numbers cover art . Summit County 2016 . Vail 2017 . 2018
. Team Summit Colorado . 2014 . 2015 . 2016
. USA Cycling Hill Climb National Championships . Colorado Springs . CO . 2017
. Colorado Classic Bicycle Race . 2018
. Breck Epic Cycling Race. 2016
. Garden of the Gods 10 K . 2016
. Colorado Springs Business + Art . 2021
. Primal Colorado Bike Expo . 2015
. Vision Relay Bicycle Race . 2017
. Manitou Springs Visitor's Guide Cover . 2024
. Manitou Springs Coffin Races . 2014
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Artwork donations to Charities and Non-profits:
​Tiger Woods Foundation
Lindsey Vonn Foundation
Isha Foundation .
Khushii NGO . For Child Welfare . India
Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Program
Breckenridge Outdoor Educational Center .
Northstar Team Foundation
Team Summit Colorado
The Art of Love . Jackson Hole, WY
Jackson Hole Quick Draw + Art Auction​
Manitou Springs Pollinators
​National Mill Dog Rescue
Luvin' Arms Animal Sanctuary
Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center
Teller County Regional Animal Shelter