Gus vs Gustavo Romano: The Dual Identity of an Artist in the Modern World
Artists often exist in a unique space where their personal lives and creative personas intertwine. For some, these boundaries are blurred; for others, like me, they are deliberately separated. My name is Gustavo Romano — a proud Portuguese name I’ve carried since birth. But in the art world, I’m known as Gus Romano, a persona I adopted not out of necessity but as a natural evolution of my journey. This duality has shaped my creative process, my self-perception, and how I navigate the modern, interconnected world.
The Origins of Gus
When I moved to London, my name, Gustavo, became a small but persistent challenge. With my accent and a lack of fluency in English, I often found myself repeating “Gustavo” multiple times for clarity. To simplify, I started introducing myself as Gus—a shorter, punchier name that was easier for others to grasp. At the same time, I learned an interesting tidbit: Keith Richards, one of my childhood idols, had a grandfather named Gus who gave him his first guitar. As someone who dreamed of becoming a guitar rock star until I was 18, adopting “Gus” felt like a fitting nod to a simpler version of myself—a person inspired, driven, and confident in creativity.
The Evolution of Gus Romano
The transition from Gustavo to Gus in my art wasn’t immediate. For most of my life, I had no reason to separate my personal and creative identities. But when I began sharing my paintings on social media, the lines blurred. By day, I worked full-time as a social media manager at the company my parents founded—a legacy of more than 35 years. By night, I painted, driven by an unstoppable passion for creating expressive, emotive art.
The problem arose when I tried to balance both sides of my life on social media. My personal page didn’t feel like the right space to showcase my art, and my art page felt too niche to include mundane updates from my professional life. This discomfort led to the creation of my dedicated art page, IAmGusRomano, where I could fully embrace my artistic persona. It became a way of saying, “This is me—Gus, the artist.”
The Artist as a Persona
In assuming the name Gus Romano, I unintentionally stepped into a persona—someone bold, confident, and fearless in creation. I first noticed this shift in 2017 when I launched my YouTube channel. Wearing a big hat, adorned with rings and necklaces (a subtle nod to Keith Richards), I pressed record and entered a creative zone. It was as if Gustavo stepped aside, and Gus took the stage.
This phenomenon isn’t uncommon among artists. History is filled with creators who adopted alternate identities or personas to express themselves freely. Take Vincent van Gogh, who signed his works simply as “Vincent,” or Banksy, who hides behind a pseudonym entirely. Adopting a persona can act as a shield, a source of courage, or even a tool to compartmentalize the chaos of creativity from the responsibilities of daily life.
The Philosophical Implications of Duality
The duality of being both Gustavo and Gus raises profound questions about identity and art. Is it normal for an artist to assume a character? Absolutely. Creativity often requires stepping into a different mindset—a space where societal norms and personal inhibitions melt away. This “alter ego” can provide the mental freedom to take risks, challenge conventions, and explore new ideas without fear of judgment.
Philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche explored similar ideas, suggesting that individuals have multiple “selves,” each shaped by different experiences and environments. For artists, these selves often include the practical, grounded individual and the free-spirited creator. The tension between these identities can be both a struggle and a source of inspiration.
Balancing Two Worlds
Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace the coexistence of Gus and Gustavo. While I try to keep my professional life separate from my art, there are inevitable overlaps. For example, when I travel, I sometimes wonder: does this experience belong to Gus, the artist, or Gustavo, the individual? The truth is, they’re one and the same. Whether I post on my personal page or my art page, both identities contribute to the larger picture of who I am.
Interestingly, my work has been featured in media across both spheres—sometimes as Gustavo, sometimes as Gus. While this occasional mix-up might confuse others, it doesn’t bother me. At the end of the day, my art and work speak louder than any name. What truly matters is the impact of my creations and the legacy they leave behind.
The Future of Gus and Gustavo
As I continue my journey, I realize that maintaining this separation isn’t about hiding one part of myself from the other. Instead, it’s about creating space for both to thrive. Gustavo is the name tied to my roots, my family, and my professional life. Gus is the embodiment of my creative aspirations, my dreams, and my fearless pursuit of art. Together, they make me whole.
For artists who might feel the need to differentiate between their personal and creative identities, my advice is this: don’t be afraid to embrace both sides of yourself. Whether you adopt a persona or merge everything into one, what truly matters is the authenticity of your work and the passion you bring to your craft.
In the end, our names are just labels. What defines us is the art we create, the lives we touch, and the stories we tell. And for me, whether I’m Gustavo or Gus, I’ll keep telling those stories, one painting at a time.
Self Portrait Oil Painting by Gus Romano
The self-portrait by Gus Romano captures the essence of the artist with a remarkable balance of realism and emotion. Using a rich palette of oil paints, Romano explores the subtleties of light and shadow, creating depth and character in his representation.
The composition features a thoughtful gaze, drawing the viewer into a moment of introspection. Romano’s deliberate brushwork highlights the contours of his face, while the background remains softly blurred, emphasizing the subject. Textures are skillfully rendered, with variations in brushstroke adding visual interest to both the skin and the clothing.
The choice of colors enhances the mood of the piece. Warm earth tones blend harmoniously with cooler hues, reflecting the complexity of human experience. Each layer of paint contributes to a sense of authenticity, making the work resonate with those who seek to understand the artist’s perspective.
This self-portrait stands as a testament to Romano’s technique and vision, inviting viewers to connect with both the artist and the art itself. It is not merely a representation; it is an exploration of identity, a moment captured in time, and an expression of the inner landscape of Gus Romano.
