Max Romey is a man of many passions—trail running, painting, filmmaking, and environmental advocacy—all woven into a life deeply inspired by his grandmother’s artistic legacy and his love for the outdoors. A watercolour artist, filmmaker, trail runner, and Protect Our Winters (POW) Ambassador, Romey’s work reflects his unique perspective on the world, shaped by a childhood in Anchorage, Alaska, and a personal journey marked by dyslexia, creativity, and connection.
A Journey Begins
Born and raised in Anchorage but having lived for a time in Upstate New York, Romey’s path was influenced by the natural beauty of both regions. His early struggles with dyslexia led him to find refuge in painting and sketching—visual mediums that allowed him to communicate in ways words could not. These early experiences laid the groundwork for a creative life where art and movement became his primary means of expression.
Running and Painting: The Art of Being Present
Romey began running and painting as a child, long before he realised they would become central to his life. “They’re two of the things that make me feel the most free,” he says. For Romey, both running and painting are about being fully present in the moment, free from the pressure of results or perfection.
Now living in Alaska, running has taken on new dimensions. The wilderness of his home state—with its bears, moose, and dramatic landscapes—demands respect and mindfulness. “There’s always something bigger, more intense than you out here,” he explains. This sense of humility informs both his art and his running, as he seeks not to conquer nature but to be part of its vast, intricate story.
Inspired by a Grandmother’s Legacy
A cornerstone of Romey’s creative journey is his grandmother, “Lu,” an adventurous painter who travelled the globe, sketchbook in hand. Her work, featuring vivid depictions of places like Antarctica, the Galapagos, and Alaska, captivated a young Max, who would flip through her sketches and feel transported to the places she had visited.
Today, Romey is following in her footsteps—literally and figuratively. Using her sketchbooks as a “reverse map,” he travels to the locations she painted, standing in the same spots and sketching the same scenes to see what has changed over time. This process has revealed stark transformations, such as the retreat of glaciers like the Mer de Glace in the French Alps, as well as places that remain almost untouched. “It’s like a language we shared,” he says. “If you can read these sketchbooks, you can actually go to the exact same places she was.”
Painting and Film: Telling Stories of Change
Romey’s storytelling extends beyond sketchbooks into filmmaking, where he combines his watercolour art with environmental narratives. His films, including Footprints on Katmai and If You Give a Beach a Bottle, spotlight the impact of human activity on fragile ecosystems. Footprints on Katmai, in particular, follows Romey’s journey to Alaska’s remote Katmai beaches, where he joins marine debris experts to uncover the hidden marks humanity leaves on these wild places.
The connection between art and environmentalism is central to Romey’s philosophy. “Without art in a time of change like this, I think it would be a lot more scary and a lot more hopeless,” he reflects. Through his work, he hopes to inspire others to see the beauty and fragility of the world—and to act as stewards for its preservation.
Protect Our Winters Ambassador
Romey’s environmental commitment is highlighted by his role as a Protect Our Winters (POW) Ambassador, an organisation that connects outdoor enthusiasts and athletes to tackle climate change. “It can feel scary and lonely when thinking about giant problems like climate change,” he explains. “POW is an incredible group of people from all around the world who are harnessing the adventurous outdoors spirit to address the big complex issue of climate change.”
For Romey, the sense of community within POW transforms what might otherwise be overwhelming into something empowering and even fun. “It makes something that used to seem scary be fun, which is what’s needed to face these issues.”
Running for the Sake of Running
As a runner, Romey finds inspiration in those who run for the love of it, not for records or accolades. He admires figures like Rickey Gates, whose adventures embody the joy and discovery that running can bring. Romey’s own runs, often accompanied by a portable watercolour kit, serve as a way to connect with the land and spark creativity.
A Father’s Perspective
Now a father, Romey often imagines his son flipping through his sketchbooks or watching his films decades from now. The thought of passing on these stories and perspectives adds a new layer of meaning to his work. “Art is like a time machine,” he says. “It captures how we feel, how we see the world, and it carries those emotions forward.”
Advice for Aspiring Artists
For those looking to start painting, Romey’s advice is simple: start small, embrace imperfection, and carry your materials everywhere. “Don’t worry about the final product,” he says. “Just remember what it was like when you were a little kid—that freedom to run around the house or draw a picture.”
Leaving Footprints for the Future
Through his art, films, running, and advocacy, Max Romey is leaving footprints of his own—impressions that speak to the beauty of the natural world and the urgency of preserving it. Whether standing in his grandmother’s footsteps or forging his own path, Romey’s work serves as a bridge between the past and the future, a testament to the power of creativity, movement, and connection.
Join us at the Ocean Film Festival 2025 to see Max Romey in ‘Footprints on Katmai’
Find a screening near you – here and we’ll see ya there!
