Elizabeth Cook Romero & Leo Romero: A Life in Art and Words

Elizabeth Cook Romero & Leo Romero: A Life in Art and Words

On view: May 9–June 14, 2025
Opening reception: Friday, May 9, 5:00–7:00pm

The still life paintings of Elizabeth Cook Romero are steeped in a mysterious air that transcends the objects and interiors she depicts. Her compositions are more than arrangements—they are quiet meditations, whispering stories just beyond reach. In contrast yet in harmony, Leo Romero’s paintings—mostly landscapes but occasional figures—flow with a lyrical ease, echoing the voice found in his poetry. His work seems to arise effortlessly from a deep creative well.

Their paths first crossed in 1979 at the Wurlitzer Foundation in Taos, New Mexico—Elizabeth there to paint, and Leo to write poetry. That meeting sparked a lifelong creative partnership. Today, they continue their respective practices in Santa Fe, where they also run Books of Interest, a beloved local bookstore that reflects their enduring passion for art, literature, and the quiet beauty of thoughtful living. – Stephen Parise

“Shortly after painting my first still lifes, I saw a video of a woman, who though fleeing her bomb shattered home, paused to water a houseplant. I paint what she and millions of others deserve: peace, a home, the familiar view from a window, the use of a favorite bowl or cup.” – Elizabeth Cook Romero

“Sometimes I’ll start painting something, but then I end up with something totally different from what I started. That can be a pleasant surprise or a mess.” – Leo Romero

Pictured: Elizabeth Cook Romero, Untitled, 2025, gouache on handmade Japanese paper, 20.5 x 17 inches