Meet Romelle in RiNo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Romelle.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan where from an early age, I was hooked on the styles and attitudes that influenced graffiti, punk rock & athletics. Not necessarily in that order.

I was always, and still am, interested in a hundred things at any given moment, ranging from swimming outside to getting new KRINK pens. I suppose I got started in the ‘art’ sense by simply making things and not thinking too much about it. I vividly remember getting my first pack of magic markers in elementary school and I think that’s what set it all off. From then on, I was always drawing, writing or painting something. Forever intimidated by a blank sheet of paper.

Since then, obviously, a lot has happened. After high school in 2010, I moved to Boulder, Colorado and focused all of my time and energy into swimming and racing triathlon. I became more of a self-defined “athlete” than an artist.

After graduating, I found my way back to my roots in art and moved back to my physical roots as well. I was accepted into my first Art Residency program in the city of Detroit (PLAYGROUND DETROIT x Ponyride) where I was given the opportunity to paint and have a solo show at the completion of the program.

After my first residency, I did two more art residency programs (another in Detroit at The Forge in 2017, and one in Denver with TAXI Community, through Zeppelin Development in 2019), which allowed me to continue traveling and exploring different parts of the US.

These days, I am based in Denver painting in my studio and working on an ongoing music project.

Has it been a smooth road?
If you ask any artist if life has been a smooth road, the answer is either going to be “no” or they’re lying to you.

I mean that in the sense that being an artist, and banking on your creativity for a living, is inherently hard. It can be difficult to sell work, feel financially stable, and even create art in the midst of constant stress.

To me, being an artist comes with a struggle that I am willing to embrace. I would rather pursue what I am passionate about than regret it years down the road, alongside the sheer dependability of a 9-5 job.

I also ask myself, if it was all easy, and if everything went according to plan, did I really do it right?

Please tell us more about your artwork, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I make art under the name ‘Romelle’.
I paint, and I play music in a few projects.

At this point, if people are familiar with me, it’s probably for my work as a painter somewhere between my Detroit & Denver communities.

As an artist, I am proud of the patience I have had during the process of making all of this happen. I have so many amazing people around me that I’m inspired by, between the worlds of music and art. When it comes down to it, I am most proud of the communities I have been a part of, because that’s why I have been able to get anything done in the first place.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Denver is an interesting place to be an artist, and it’s hard to say what will happen here over the course of the next 5-10 years because it is growing so quickly. I think if creative people come to the city with a plan, it can be a really open place to make things happen, and that’s all I can say for the way it is now. People in Denver are so genuine and open to new ideas, and that has really opened me up to unique collaborations across art, music, photography and even fashion.

It would be amazing to see more artist initiatives that include young, emerging artists in the Denver scene over the next decade. I would love to feel more of a community among artists and creative people, whether that’s new residencies or homes dedicated to housing artists & musicians. As long as we set that intention, anything could happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.R0MELLE.COM

Image Credit:
Justin Diamond Photography

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