Home — A Mural Series by Michael Che Romero of Vivache Designs

The story of our land is a shared experience.

Home is a visual love letter – a vibrant homage to the place that raised me, to the fertile soil that gives us sustenance, and to the timeless connection between people, nature, and the bounty we share. This series is born from deep respect – for our homegrown abundance, for the sacred reciprocity between humanity and the land, and for the universal truth that access to food is a fundamental human right.

These contemporary murals use the mastery of Renaissance technique while blending bold, cascading color palettes that echo the vibrancy of nature itself. I use color not just as a visual element, but as a language – each hue a word, each stroke a story. From the golden glow of harvest to the deep blues of rivers and skies, every mural in the Home series is a tapestry of love for nature, food, and hope. It is my offering to the collective table, and an invitation to remember what it means to celebrate the land. Importantly, it is my representation of the fusion between that which is divine and human.

The true power in this collection lies in the hands – the humble yet extraordinary vessels of creation and connection. These are the hands that plant the seeds of tomorrow, that work the soil with intention, that harvest and prepare, that nurture both body and spirit. They are the young and old hands that feed us, sustain us, and bring us together. From field to kitchen, from one generation to the next, these hands are symbols of strength, care, and community – a reminder that every act of labor and love begins with a simple, human touch.

Rooted

Merging the mastery of brushwork with the dynamism of spray paint, Rooted is a seamless fusion of old-world technique and contemporary expression – honoring the everlasting union between people and the land. This mural stands as a visual testament to agriculture, labor, and heritage. It speaks of strength – both the resilience of the land and the unwavering roots that bind generations to their culture, past, and environment.

With the deepest veneration and gratitude, I pay tribute to the first, native communities who nurtured this land long before us – their traditions, wisdom, and stewardship forever woven into its essence. Subtle references are layered within the composition, inviting reflection: the rolling hills of the Palouse, the majestic mountains standing as silent witnesses to history, and at the heart of it all, a striking indigenous woman, her head bowed in peace and grace to the land’s abundant gifts. Around her, the harvest – berries, grapes, onions – symbolizing the cycle of nutrients, the fruits of patience and care.

This piece is not just a mural; it is a humble invocation, an ode to the unbreakable bond between humanity and the earth that sustains us. It is a testimonial that to be rooted is to be connected – to history, to culture, and to the future we continue to cultivate.

Creation

The ancient, weathered hands that sowed the first seeds in this region hold a divinity beyond time – both earthly and celestial. Creation is a tribute to those hands, to the quiet strength of labor, and to the enduring cycle of life they set into motion.

At the heart of this mural are the hands of my grandfather, Lester Lee Hopkins, a tree farmer and logger from Idaho. His hands, sculpted by decades of working the land, embody the sacred act of cultivation. Emerging from the heavens, they descend with reverence forming a heart shape, casting seeds upon the fertile earth – seeds that hold the promise of love, life, growth, and provision.

The seeds themselves are not chosen by chance. They are the seeds of knowledge, wisdom, family, and memory planted in the earth – creating the native gifts of the Pacific Northwest: camas, wild sunflowers, local onions – plants that have revitalized generations, deeply intertwined with the region’s customs and landscape. They fall into the rich, rippling soil of the Palouse, where flourishing fields stretch toward a horizon framed by Washington’s signature dramatic skies.

The clouds, layered and luminous swirl in a cosmic embrace, cradling the hands in a composition that echoes the continued cycle of giving and receiving. They remind us that creation is not a solitary act – it is a shared experience, passed down through generations, binding us to the land and to each other.

This mural is more than a representation of planting; it is a visual hymn to the origins of abundance, a reflection on how we shape the world and how, in turn, it shapes us.

From Dawn to Dusk

Beneath the vast expanse of sky, where the first light of morning kisses the fields and the last embers of sunset fade into twilight, From Dawn to Dusk pays tribute to the farmers who work tirelessly to sustain us. This mural is a visual symphony of labor, resilience, and renewal, capturing the unyielding cycle of agriculture – where every sunrise is a promise and every sunset a testament to the day's toil.

A mesmerizing transition of light sweeps across the composition, symbolizing the rhythm of the land and the labor that shape it. Sowing, growing, harvesting – the mural pulsates with the sacred dance of human effort and nature’s cornucopia. Inspired by Diego Rivera’s social realism, I brought to life the sheer magnitude of agricultural labor, rendering figures that exude both grace and endurance, deeply embedded in the earth they cultivate.

Bold colors and lush landscapes weave together the narrative of regenerative farming – a practice as ancient as the soil itself, yet vital for the future. The mural celebrates the harmony between people and the land, showcasing the delicate balance between restoration and harvest.

This is more than an ode to farming; it is a reflection on humanity’s symbiotic relationship with the earth – a story of strength, gratefulness, and the unseen human effort that bring food to our tables, day after day, from dawn to dusk.

The Living Earth

The Living Earth is a vivid, surreal interpretation of the land’s vitality, reminding us that the earth is not a passive resource but a breathing, evolving force of conception and renewal. This mural is alive with movement, transformation, and the intricate web of sustainability, portraying the dynamic force that surges beneath our feet – the unseen yet essential forces that sustain life.

Rendered in an interplay of color, texture, and fluid motion, the composition reveals the hidden layers of the loess soils of the Palouse: roots weaving like veins through the soil, water coursing through subterranean rivers, microbial life teeming in unseen richness. The land is not just what

we see above – it is a deep, complex system of regeneration, a harmonious balance of decomposition and rebirth, decay and bloom. It is also a mirror to the quarry that surrounds the Scale House Market. Simply look out the window and you can observe the layered roots in the surrounding hillside reimagined in the painting.

At the heart of this piece is a celebration of Mother Earth – a feminine energy that nurtures and sustains, her presence felt in the undulating forms and organic flow of the artwork. The connection to The Mother, the mural that stands before it, is intentional – a dialogue between the creator and the creation, between the visible and the unseen.

This is not simply a landscape; it is a portrait of a living, breathing entity, one that holds the wisdom of generations, the power of renewal, and the quiet force of endurance. The Living Earth invites us to value the soil, respect the balance, and recognize that true sustainability begins not just with what grows, but with the very ground that gives it life.

The Mother

A sweeping, energetic abstract composition, The Mother captures the boundless power of life that Mother Earth provides. At the heart of the mural, she stands as a towering, ethereal figure – her presence both nurturing and formidable. Cradling the world at her belly, Mother Earth is a symbol of interconnectedness and the unbreakable bond between the earth and all who depend on her. Swirling around her, the land and sky merge into a vibrant, flowing tapestry – one where nutrition, movement, and life take form.

The landscape vibrates with lively imagery – figures in motion, each one fueled by the potency of the earth’s gifts. Each figure represents the profound relationship between what we eat and how we thrive, their movements fluid and full of life, as if carried by the very essence of the earth itself. The active silhouette figures are reminiscent of the “The Joy of Running Together” statues in Riverfront Park which honors Spokane’s Bloomsday runners.

Abstract bursts of color and organic shapes echo the rhythm of nature – rippling blues of water that sustain us, sun-drenched oranges and yellows that radiate warmth and vigor, deep greens of nutrient-rich plants, forests, and fields. The mural’s textures shift from soft, painterly strokes to bold, kinetic lines, capturing the interplay between food and nutrition, body and soul.

The spirit of The Mother is a celebration of life’s most fundamental truth: that our health, our strength, and our joy are gifts from the earth. Through her, we are fed – physically, mentally, and spiritually. She does not simply provide; she empowers. And in honoring her, in choosing the foods she offers in their purest form, we honor ourselves.

Abundance I & II

Abundance I & II are a tribute to the richness of freshly harvested produce – modern still lives that showcase detailed layering, fusing realism with an expressive vibrancy that mirrors the soul of just-picked produce, elevating the familiar shapes of ripe tomatoes, plump eggplant, crisp lettuce, glistening apples, and sweet carrots into radiant compositions.

The works are not merely aesthetic; they serve as an invocation to the market itself. A space where food is accessible year-round, where the cadence of the seasons is honored daily, and where the association between farm and table is embraced.

The Bounty

The Bounty is a visual testament to the cyclical nature of nourishment, capturing the powerful linkage between human labor, the land’s generosity, and the responsibility we bear in sustaining it. Palms cradle the bounty of life and the rich harvest of mindful cultivation. These hands are not just figures; they are symbols of care and perseverance, emphasizing that our connection to the land is not passive but participatory.

Each detail reinforces the message of sustainability and stewardship – a reminder that what we receive, we must also regenerate. The full-circle moment depicted here is one of balance: from the first touch of soil to the final offering of food, an unbroken loop of reciprocity that ensures a plethora for future generations.

The Gathering

In this mural, a long, welcoming dinner table stretches across the scene, overflowing with vibrant dishes that reflect a fusion of cultures and traditions. The table is alive with movement – hands enjoying and sharing food with laughter rippling through the air. Around it, a diverse group of individuals – young and old, from different backgrounds and walks of life – come together, sharing not just a meal, but stories, laughter, and warmth.

To gather around a table is to participate in something deeply rooted in our nature – a ritual as old as time, where food becomes more than sustenance. It is an offering, an act of care, a bridge between histories. The dishes spread across the table are diverse in color, texture, and aroma, each one carrying the heart of a different place, a different memory. Through the act of sharing, boundaries dissolve. A simple meal transforms into a conversation between generations, between people, between hearts.

In this moment, food becomes a great equalizer, prompting us to remember that despite our different origins, we are all connected by the simple, human need to nourish and be nourished. The table is more than wood and cloth; it is a place where stories unfold, where differences fade, and where the universal language of food speaks louder than words.

Manifestation

In Manifestation, past, present, and future converge in a dreamlike manner on the wall, forming a triptych of possibility. Spokane’s most iconic landmarks – the clock tower, the World’s Fair pavilion, and the bridges that tether the city’s past to its present – stand as sentinels, watching over the city. Yet, this mural is not just a reflection of what is; it is a provocation of what could be.

At its core, Manifestation is an artistic act of reimagining. It dares to envision a Spokane where the heartbeat of the city beats around fresh, local markets, where food is not a privilege but a birthright – abundant, accessible, and woven seamlessly into urban life. Inspired by the bustling marketplaces of Europe, this mural calls forth a future where farmers, artisans, and communities gather to share in the fruits of the land, reclaiming the cityscape as a place where food is ubiquitous and people thrive in community.

The mural’s composition echoes this ethos – a work of movement and color, where light spills over produce-laden stalls, and architectural forms blur into organic vibrancy. The bridge, a literal and symbolic passage, holds a subtle tribute to my graffiti name “TEC”, a whisper from childhood – an acknowledgment of roots, of evolution, of art’s power to shape both identity and place.

Connection

Connection is a celebration of childhood, togetherness, and the transformative power of food. This mural (intentionally placed adjacent to the live kitchen) conjures the joyful spirit of children in the kitchen, their hands immersed in the creative alchemy of cooking – chopping, mixing, tasting, and learning. It is a testament to empowerment through food, an invitation for young minds to discover that feeding oneself is an act of agency and creativity.

Harkening to French impressionism, Connection uses brushwork’s depth and intimacy while commemorating traditional techniques. The composition is alive with joy and radiant color, where ingredients – vibrant herbs, golden vegetables, glistening fruits – become both subject and symbol.

The mural’s story is about equipping children with the skills to support themselves and one another, fostering a sense of independence and shared joy. It captures the magic of the kitchen as a place of exploration, discovery. This is not simply a depiction of children cooking – it is a reminder that when we teach children to cook, we give them the tools to thrive – not just with food, but with one other.

Giving thanks

I am so thankful to the incredible local artists who lent their talent and expertise in bringing these murals to life. The deadline was ambitious and I was happy to have found such phenomenal artists in the city.

So, with my deepest thank you, I honor those who worked tirelessly under my direction and by my side. Their incredible professionalism, work ethic, and collaborative spirit helped bring the art to life. The energy, love, and dedication from their hands live forever in these walls.

Professional Artists
Jennifer Batey & Stacie Boyer – my powerhouse leads
Rebecka Anderson, Oenone Shore, Aaron Smith, Fenix Rodriguez, Laura Kaschmitter, Hannah Sucsy

Lewis & Clark and Mt. Spokane High School Volunteers
Rowan Jeske, Ozzie Osborne, Carson Alderson, Ava Pierpont, Annabel Hilton, Paisley Archer, Josey Morse

Community Volunteers
Tyler Todd, Leah Yand, Angela Turcios, Oriana DiNatale, Lydia Friel

Community Advocates
Dean Lenz, Chad Brazill, Karen Mobley

My apprentice, Garrett Santoro. Thank you for giving and bringing your all, day in and day out.

I am so grateful to Vicki Carter and the Spokane Conservation District/Scale House Market for the platform and opportunity to house my own mural gallery. It is a blessing and honor to know you and contribute to such an incredible vision and space. What an inspiration and activator you are!

Finally, to my wife, Seema Mishra. Without you, none of this would be possible.