Daily Inspiration: Meet Roman Reyes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Roman Reyes.

Hi Roman, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The Journey – A Life of Art and Discovery
By Roman P Reyes
From the vibrant streets of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico, to the creative heart of Arizona, Roman P. Reyes has dedicated his life to the pursuit of art, culture, and community. Arriving in Phoenix in the early 1970s, Reyes quickly became a fixture in the local art scene. A gifted gymnast and musician during his years at Phoenix Union High School, he earned his vocational certificate in Commercial Art in 1965. His path then led him to the U.S. Army, where he served with the 101st Airborne Division and toured with the Army band.

After his service, Reyes returned to Arizona to continue his education, ultimately graduating from Arizona State University and the Thunderbird School of Global Management. With his strong artistic foundation, he founded Reyes Graphic Arts, a design and printing studio specializing in offset and silkscreen production. His portfolio grew to include high-profile designs for the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Deeply inspired by his Mexican heritage, Reyes’s mural work draws on the powerful imagery and symbolism of Aztec, Olmec, and Mayan cultures.

In 1976, Reyes began a teaching career at Glendale Community College, later joining Phoenix College where he served as Chair of the Art, Photography, Music, and Anthropology Departments. His leadership and mentorship helped generations of students — particularly those from minority backgrounds — find their voice in the arts.

A defining moment came in 1999, when Reyes took a year-long sabbatical that brought him to Hollywood and then to New Zealand. There, he worked at the legendary Weta Workshop on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, crafting monster prosthetics that contributed to the films’ Academy Award–winning special effects. In 2003, at the special request of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan, Reyes and his students traveled to the United Arab Emirates to participate in the E-ducation Without Borders conference, where they created two large-scale murals promoting peace, understanding, and human diversity.

For the past 15 years, Reyes has served as a resident artist at the Latino Arts and Cultural Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also co-owner of Latino USA TV and host of Arizona Barrio Stories, an ongoing project dedicated to recording and preserving Chicano and Mexican history. Today, Reyes continues to paint, sculpt, and mentor emerging artists, channeling his passion into The Bravo Show — a television program that brings art and music together in perfect harmony, showcasing the wealth of talent within the community

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I came to the United States from Mexico at the age of five, part of a family of nine siblings. Adjusting to a new life wasn’t easy. My father, a Protestant minister, pastored for Asambleas de Dios churches across Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, and California before we finally settled in Phoenix. Times were tough — we worked our share in the fields — but our parents instilled in us a deep respect for education. Most of my siblings went to college, and many earned degrees. Looking back, I believe we navigated life’s challenges well. Despite the social and economic hardships, we’ve enjoyed strong family bonds, lasting friendships, and meaningful work

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been fortunate to build a long career exploring many facets of the arts, and over the years I’ve taught many of them at the college level — from painting and airbrushing to sculpture, photography, special effects makeup, computer graphics, and mural work. I’ve also owned a print shop and screen-printing studio, ventured into photojournalism, and even dabbled in acting and singing.
These days, my creative energy is focused on something entirely new — blending my traditional art skills with emerging technology. I’m experimenting with AI to bring some of my sculpted props to life, teaching them to lip sync and carry on conversations with me for my new project, The Bravo Show. The set is ready, the vision is clear — now it’s time to bring the production to life. I am most proud of my work on the Lord of the Rings, murals in the United Arab Emirates and painting for President Barack Obama but mostly in helping other artist

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Taking risks has always been part of my life. I believe in taking calculated risks — that’s how you overcome obstacles and grow, both as a person and as an artist. In my younger days, I skydived with the Rebel Skydivers from Phoenix, rode motorcycles for most of my adult life (and have a metal ankle to prove it), and even tried cliff diving.
In art, the risks are different but just as real. What if my new project, The Bravo Show, doesn’t pan out after investing so much time and money? That’s a question every artist faces with every commission or creative venture. But confidence grows with each project, and sometimes that means being willing to start over. I’ve whitewashed more than a few paintings because they didn’t meet my standards — I only want the best for myself, and by extension, for my clients. For me, risk is inseparable from the creative process.

Pricing:

• I am not available for the next 6 months

Contact Info:

• Website: https://latinousa.live
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063817772292 Roman P Reyes Artist
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-reyes-58b51a1/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LatinoUSATV-il1qu
• Other: Roman P Reyes LORD OF THE RINGS