Get to know artist, world traveler, trail runner, and film maker, Max Romey. He lives an extraordinary life full of adventure as he travels the globe to chase down trail runners and film them in their race through beautiful, and rugged terrain.

Max, you do so much! Can you give the Pentalic fans a quick run down of all that you do?

My job is to chase down the fastest trail runners in the world with a camera, but when I am not scrambling up mountains, I like to slow down and enjoy the landcape by painting it. I am a 24 year old Alaskan film maker who is lucky enough to travel the world capturing amazing stories for Salomon and other independent projects. Traveling and filming can get pretty hectic, but painting and sketching helps me see and experience the places I am in, whether it is Europe or a small western mountain town.

Where has been your favorite place to make art so far?

I have never been able to predict my favorite place to make art. I always find that magic where I did not expect it, which is why I try to carry a sketchbook everywhere. Coffee shops, a waiting room, a muddy trail. Painting and sketching helps me take the time to look and see something magical that I might have passed over earlier.

Where do you plan to go next?

I am heading west! I have a busy year of filming in the west coast lined up from California to Alaska. My job takes me to some pretty hard to reach places and I am stoked to pack in a sketchbook for the down time.

What got you started on your art journey?

My Grandmother was a watercolor artist and growing up I thought she was the best artist in the world (still do). She traveled the world from Argentina to Antarctica and painted and filled sketchbooks with her adventures. I am nowhere near as talented as she was but I still I dream of following in her footsteps and sharing the same kind of adventures that got me into painting in the first place.

What are your future art goals?

I have three goals for the future:

  1. Stop being scared of painting. I get scared of making mistakes and messing up, but the only way to fix that is to keep on painting, so that is what I am trying to do at least once each day.
  2. Get my imagination on paper. Since I can remember I have been imagining stories and adventures but I have always been waiting until I was a good enough painter or for the right time to get them down on paper. But the longer you wait the harder it is to start, so I plan to get the ideas down on paper and worry about being a good enough painter later.
  3. JUST HAVE FUN! When I was a kid I had a ton of fun just playing with paint. No matter what it looked like I was just thrilled to be making and sharing things. Ultimately, I want to get back to that.

What’s your favorite Pentalic product and why?

I can’t pick one favorite so here are my top three

  1. The Pocket Journal. The most important sketchbook you need is the one that is with you when you need it, and these are the perfect size to carry anywhere and everywhere. I almost always have one on me for little notes, sketches and ideas.
  2. Aqua Journal 3×5: This is the Goldie Lox sketchbook, Not too big, not too small, just right. Good for painting, of sketching, and packable enough to travel well.
  3. Dream Catcher Journal: This the sketchbook I am most excited to play around with. These accordion journals lead to some creative compositions and I find them to be a light weight packable way to capture some amazing panoramic views.

Any advice for the fledgling traveler? What about the fledgling artist?

This is advice I need to be told every day.
Start now.
You don’t need to be traveling somewhere tropical or you don’t need to be painting a masterpiece to get started. We are surrounded by amazing things to paint and explore, you just have to make time to look. The masterpieces will happen when you are having so much fun that you forgot you were trying to paint one. Don’t wait, Stop reading this, grab your sketchbook and go play!