GVNC: Tell us about your creative process.

Romo: My creative process is an intuitive journey, deeply informed by 17 years of daily meditation. I've learned to trust the unseen hand. All those years of meditation taught me to focus on keeping my channels clear to listen to the subtle nudges from the ether, and that's exactly how I approach my art. I don't begin with a rigid plan; instead, I let the colors and textures speak to me, allowing the piece to reveal itself as I work. It's all about being present, listening to the art, and allowing it to unfold rather than forcing a preconceived idea.

GVNC: What inspires you?

Romo: What inspires me most is spirit (everything is spirit), and I actively seek out environments and experiences that resonate deeply with me. This often comes through the power of music, particularly live performances, the innovative work of other visual artists, and the undeniable energy of nature. These are my main wells of inspiration, constantly invigorating my creative practice.

GVNC: What are you most proud of?

Romo: I'm not sure if "proud" is the word I'd use but I'm grateful for taking the "Fool's Journey". Walking away from a successful career into the unknown was incredibly challenging. I went broke and truly shed everything on that path, but through it all, I discovered an incredible life I never even dreamed of. It's still bizarre to me that the idea of art never crossed my mind, yet now I'm able to paint large-scale murals straight from my imagination. It's a true calling, and because I'm constantly learning and improving, I rarely pause to feel proud. However, looking back at the transformation, I'm immensely pleased with the courage it took.

GVNC: What do you love best about our creative community?

Romo: What I love most about our creative community is definitely the incredible well of inspiration and the high quality of artists here. When I'm not on the road with murals, my studio at Bodhi Hive is my sanctuary, and over the past three years, I've had the pleasure of connecting with so many incredible artists and creatives there. In fact, I actually moved to this area specifically because I was so drawn to the abundance of inspirational visual artists and musicians I deeply admire. It's a truly vibrant and enriching place to be.  Bodhi Hive, Chambers Project and the Nail Factory are 3 unique and inspirational projects I've been inspired by.

GVNC: Name two Nevada county artists you admire and why.

Romo: Without a doubt, one Nevada County artist I deeply admire is Oliver Vernon--you can find him on Instagram as @oliver_vernon.  He's genuinely one of my all-time favorite visual artists, period. His work is just so profound and captivating. The way he uses color and form is masterful; it literally takes your eyes on a journey through his visual world. His pieces are incredibly deep and interesting, always hinting at untold stories that draw you in.  Oliver and The Chambers Project are part of the reason I'm here.

I'm a huge fan of musician, Aja Salvatore—you can find him on Instagram as @systemkrush. I love his work with Las Noches and New Roots Project. With Las Noches, it's his incredible knowledge and library of rhythms from Mali, West Africa, blended with unique world sounds like Afrobeat, Cumbia, and Chicha, that creates such a distinct and funky groove. And then with New Roots Project, it's that live, funk, dance jam style, especially with the guest MCs and international musicians, that also get it moving. I highly recommend.

GVNC: What’s coming up for you?

Romo: I’m painting 5 more murals in Sacramento this year and I have a solo exhibition opening at the Granucci on July 25th.  I'm really looking forward to this one.  It's called evolución.  It’s an honor to be here and share my work. 

Learn more about Gabriel Romo and his work on Instagram @2hermano or on his website at 2hermano.com