10' x 12' Mural- 'Orale Cantina' logo

Bold, Bright, & Unmissable: Bringing Orale Cantina to Life on Stockton Blvd.

Project Overview

When I first connected with Orale Cantina, I knew this was going to be something special. The space had been sitting empty on Stockton Boulevard for six years — a quiet corner that was just waiting to come back to life. Enter Orale Cantina: a new restaurant celebrating bold, flavorful Sinaloense and Japanese cuisine. The owners, Haleem Haider and Gabriela Sanchez (with the building purchased by Norma Saenz), were on a mission to create not just a place to eat, but a place that made people stop, look, and feel proud to be part of the neighborhood.

Their customers? Local families, former fans of the well-known Tres Hermanas restaurants (run by Haleem’s family), and anyone cruising down Stockton Blvd looking for great food and good energy. But before they opened, the walls outside were huge, blank, and begging for color — and the owners knew this mural was going to make a big first impression.

Creative Process

When I met with the owners at the restaurant (while they were still deep in revamp mode), we walked the space and talked through what they already had in mind. They had their logo, placement, and dimensions ready to go — so I measured the wall, calculated supply needs, and started prepping pricing right there with them. They also had an idea for an interior mural: a giant Aztec feathered headdress for customers to pose under for selfies. I told them I’d sketch it out, and within 3–4 days they approved the design.

The outside mural was pretty straightforward. The biggest challenge was timing — I had to work around weather delays (including rain) and ended up painting on Christmas Day to get it finished before New Year’s. No complaints though — my family celebrates on Christmas Eve, and I actually loved working in the quiet, chatting with neighbors as they walked by and thanked me for adding color to the block. The interior headdress mural was trickier. The owners wanted the feathers in the same teal as the wall background, which made it difficult to create contrast. I wrestled with whether to outline in black or white to make it pop, and that design took me a couple of weeks to finish. But in the end, it became a vibrant, cultural focal point for the restaurant.

Strategy

The owners were business-savvy — they knew that putting their logo on the massive wall facing one of the busiest streets in the area would be a game-changer. It wasn’t just about branding; it was about being seen, creating buzz, and turning heads. They understood that this mural could become a landmark for the neighborhood and essentially free marketing that cars and pedestrians couldn’t miss.

They reached out to me through a recommendation from someone we both knew, but they hired me because I showed up — literally. I came for a last-minute consultation, tape measure in hand, ready to price, plan, and get rolling. They mentioned how much they appreciated that I was reliable, professional, and fast to get moving. With their grand opening coming up fast, they needed someone who could deliver — and I was all in.

The Outcome

The final result? On the outside wall — a bold, vibrant mural featuring the Orale Cantina logo in rich teals, greens, and reds, standing out proudly against the dark gray building. On the inside, a massive frontal-view Aztec headdress mural in teal and hot pink that invites customers to stand beneath it for that perfect photo-op moment. It’s playful, colorful, and a nod to the boldness of Latin culture.

The owners were thrilled. I could tell they were proud to see their vision brought to life. What really made it special was seeing the community’s reaction. The mayor of the neighborhood, Eric Guerra, even came out for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new addition to Stockton Blvd. People showed up in droves — family, friends, neighbors — all excited to welcome something fresh and colorful to their neighborhood. I still see people taking photos and tagging me on Instagram, which is honestly the best kind of “thank you” an artist can get cultural focal point for the restaurant.

(Interior Wall)

(Me working on Christmas day) 😊

(Exterior Wall)

The Impact

Driving down Stockton Blvd now, that mural stands out — bold and unapologetic — surrounded by older buildings and neutral storefronts. It’s impossible to miss. The mural has helped give Orale Cantina huge visibility and has definitely sparked new excitement in an area that’s slowly cleaning up and evolving. You can feel the shift in energy every time you pass by.

For me, this project created new connections and more opportunities — but also something deeper. I’m leaving little marks on parts of my town that are often overlooked. And building trust with clients like these — who handed me the keys to their brand-new restaurant, with all their valuable equipment and inventory inside — that meant a lot. It was more than just a mural job; it was a partnership built on trust and mutual respect. And I’m so proud to be part of that story on Stockton Blvd.