RO aka Robert Leonte

“Omule : Hi Robert , how is UK for you?”

“Robert : It’s challenging, it changed my perspective about life and art in general.”

“Omule : We talked in private and you said you don’t see yourself as an artist . Why that?”

“Robert : I just like to see myself as a creative paint being, I don’t know what “Artist” really stands for, I guess it was more a thing of the past.”

“Omule : What was the first reference when you started?”

“Robert : I was just fascinated by the graffiti doodles that I was seeing in the streets of Bucharest, the capital of Romania, just loved the simplicity and the fact that they were all ways making me smile, it took me out of my day to day routine. Back then I was studying Graphic Design at the University of Arts and Design. ”

“Omule : Where do you get your inspiration from?”

“Robert : Mostly my inspiration comes from inner feelings and music, just trying to capture a sensation through what seems to be some sort of caricatured imaginary characters.A lot of times they make no actual sence. Because of this it could not be considered art.”

“Omule : What is your ideal creative environment? ”

“Robert : Abandoned places would be my first choice for a perfect creative environment, also I enjoy traveling to street art festivals, where I can meet new people that share the same passions and mind set, also the energy of all the lovers of the urban expression it’s truly lifting, of course I enjoy also the intimacy of my own room, but working collectively ia always a great idea, new ideas form and the insights and feedback could really push you further.”

“Omule : What kind of tools do you use in your daily work?”

“Robert : Pencil, spray paint, paint, brush, liners, basically anything that leaves a trace, I just like to experiment with almost any type of surface and materials.Sometimes I even play with vectors, playing with Illustrator and Photoshop, for me nothing would ever beat the pen and paper, the never crash, ok ...I don’t have ctrl+z, but still, it’s my first choice.”

“Omule : Do you have any favorite artists from your industry?”

“Robert : For favourite artists there’s too many to mention here, but there’s one that I will never forget, his real name is Tudose Vladimir, former known as NAZEK or NTH, currently he is doing extraordinary work under the name of MVD MVN, the reason I’m giving a shout out for this awesome creative is because he was the one that motivated me from the beginning to take this path, without him I wouldn’t had have such beautiful memories, so thank you, lots of love.”

“Omule : You also specified wall murals. What ‘s so special about them?”

“Robert : For murals, freedom is the word that sums it all up.”

“Omule : What would be a big achievement for you?”

“Robert : A big achievment for me will be to be able to do street art for the rest of my life, making my own brand will be part of that as well. The brand will have the same name as the character that signs my work, RO, this name stuck with me from my childhood, since I was skateboarding all day, hopefully one day it will become reality, I know that people who appreciate my work are waiting for this to happen.”

“Omule : How do you like to spend your free time?”

“Robert : In my spare time I usually listen to music , I sketch new things and I drink a lot of coffee, From time to time I take my skateboard for a ride, enjoy the exercise that keeps my mind free and clear .I enjoy walks in the park and love to get lost in the details of the city , just trying to keep my mind as peaceful as possible, a lot of the time it’s a constant battle with the famous Shakespeare’s quote “To be, or not To be” . I guess the best things come from suffering but in the end life goes on cause we are just fragments of dust pacing through life like summer breezes.”

“Omule : Biggest plans in the near future.”

“Robert : My biggest plan is to find equilibrium and peace in mind, body and soul.Living just for a year and a couple of months in UK, its hard to get around. You have to start from the bottom .I had the chance to do some small projects in Leeds, Roachdale, Burnley, Whalley and London.”