It has been 12 years since Jesús "Viroh" Vivas Romero established his life in Aruba, a decision that marked a new chapter both professionally and personally. Seeking better work opportunities and, at the same time, to support his family in Venezuela, this decision opened a Pandora's box filled with incredible opportunities to showcase his multifaceted artistic skills in Aruba, an island he refers to as 'a grand country with its culture and wonderful people.'
"For a university project on my thesis in fashion design, I had to create a more functional name. And from my initials came the name Virohh, meaning VIvas ROmero. Indeed, his love for art and design isn't something new; it comes from a family richly blessed with creative talent, ranging from musicians to visual artists. For Viroh, this is a virtue. The cultural and artistic heritage of his family, including the significant influence of his mother, Fanny Romero, laid the foundation for his exploration and development in the art world. "My mother Fanny Romero paints marvelously, like a highly creative kindergarten teacher. Clearly, the artistic streak is in my blood," he says
His desire to create and express led Viroh to pursue an education in Advertising and Marketing, and eventually, it took him into the world of Trade Marketing, fashion design, and beyond.
"I was doing my internship at P&G, and at the end of this period, I couldn't find work in the field I had studied. At that time, I was a 15-year-old with no life experience, living in Caracas. I decided to apply for a job at a beauty salon in a shopping center, and that became my financial income source, helping me pay for my university studies and my rent."
Like many, Viroh's start was humble, beginning as a hair washer and then as an assistant in the salon. "Gradually, I grew as I learned. I was also fortunate to work with the official beauty salon of Miss Venezuela. I worked there for 9 years, where I did a lot of knowledge exchange with colleagues, which was something excellent. So, a great place where I learned a lot of the things that I know today in this field."
"The situation in Venezuela started to become difficult, and I went back to San Cristobal near my family, which were some difficult days, even though I opened my own salon, I felt like I had gone back in the years of my life. I said, 'My God, get me out of here!'." Leaving behind the economic and social challenges in Venezuela, Viroh accepted an opportunity to work as a stylist in Aruba. The transition was not without its difficulties, particularly with the language barrier, but he says the clients were very flexible and spoke Spanish with him. "I also worked with Venezuelan colleagues, which made everything a little easier." But Viroh wanted more. His heart and artistic spirit remained restless. So he began to explore new territories in Aruba.
Since his arrival in Aruba in 2012, Viroh has demonstrated remarkable versatility. "I don't like to stay stagnant with just one thing, and the economic aspect, to be able to help my family in Venezuela due to the well-known situation, was becoming more demanding. So, I always worked in things that are my passion. I am an interior decorator.
I have designed several businesses here on the island. I am a fashion designer, which allowed me to collaborate with some friends and designers for the carnival (which is something that I love very much). But the most important thing as a life passion is the ability to put my art around Aruba. As a visual artist, I have painted everything from paintings on canvas to the walls of many houses, pools, businesses, and hotels.
"There are moments when this muse diminishes a bit and it's very difficult to get back up. There are moments when you can't just get up and say today I'm going to paint such a thing, because it depends on your mood and inspiration. Sometimes people don't understand this. However, there's almost always some inspiration. Word-of-mouth recommendations help a lot. There are murals where locals or tourists take pictures, and thus they advertise my participation as an artist on the island. My first job was a collaboration for the carnival. The first mural is of a building with a theme entirely of Aruba.
Viroh is preparing to take an even bigger step, with plans to expand his knowledge and artistic exploration internationally. His dedication to his art and his desire to inspire and educate others continue, and he is determined to continue contributing to the cultural richness of Aruba. Right now, I am busy with 3 projects.
Painting is an essential part of my life, with which I have been able to learn, drain emotions, express ideas, leave a mark, and write a story. I believe that in these twelve years that Jesús Viroh is known. I have tried to make a name and will continue to work hard to soon give shape to a project that is already developing to continue to contribute my part in helping those who want to learn and continue being part of this wonderful island. Aruba, my sweet land.
I currently have a page called Nature_Decorations where I sell arrangements of artificial orchids. And soon I will launch my online clothing line.
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