Painter and pastelist Paul Romer was born in San Francisco, California, on September 21, 1898. His father was a framer for Vickery, Atkins, & Torrey Gallery and the young Romer was greatly influenced by the art he was often surrounded by. Primarily self-taught, Romer began painting at age fifteen, taking just one course at the California School of Fine Art (now the San Francisco Art Institute). Romer began working in the insurance industry, taking time to hike through the vineyards and rolling hills of Marin County to study landscapes or travel to the Sierra Nevadas, painting the mountainous terrain when possible. In 1928 he moved to San Anselmo in Marin County, where he remained until his death in 1985. He co-founded the Marin Society of Artists in 1927 and was a lifelong member; he was also a member of the Society of Western Artists. He exhibited in the San Francisco Art Association (SFAA) annually; in the Golden Gate International Exhibition (1939); the Oakland Art Gallery (1932, 1929; and with the Marin and Western art societies. In 1980 he was the recipient of the highest award at the 1980 Marin Society of Artists annual exhibition.