Mr. Nobu Mural | Mr. Nobu’s Sushi Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma | May 2025
8' × 40' | Gold leaf foil and acrylic on drywall
Mr. Nobu was a completely different kind of space.
The concept came from the same owners behind Chimi’s, who had already trusted me with artwork for their other locations. For their 71st Street location, they created Mr. Nobu, a smaller and more intimate sushi concept connected to Chimi’s through a sliding door.
The entire space felt intentional.
It had the feeling of a hidden room or speakeasy, including another concealed doorway that led into a more private dining area where the chef could prepare food directly in front of guests.
It really felt like a hidden gem.
For the artwork, I wanted to experiment with something different while still working with materials and techniques I had already explored in other projects.
The main mural featured koi fish moving across a dark gray wall that was almost black. Instead of fully painting every fish, I outlined much of the composition using gold leaf foil, allowing the metallic surface to catch the light and change depending on where you were standing.
Some of the koi received touches of orange and white, but I intentionally avoided filling everything in completely.
I wanted there to be restraint.
The gold outlines became the main visual language, while the small areas of color gave certain fish more presence without taking away from the darker atmosphere of the room.
Using gold leaf gave the mural a completely different character than aerosol or traditional acrylic alone. It introduced reflection, texture, and a sense of luxury that worked naturally with the concept of the restaurant.
I also painted a cherry blossom tree on another section of the space, helping carry the visual language throughout the room, but the koi mural became the main feature.
Once everything was finished, the artwork felt like it belonged there.
The dark walls, gold details, koi, cherry blossoms, hidden entrances, and intimate layout all came together to create an environment that felt distinctive from the moment you entered.
I always appreciate opportunities where the artwork becomes part of a larger experience rather than simply filling an empty wall.
I’m especially thankful for the continued support and trust from the owners. Being invited back to create for another one of their concepts means a lot, and Mr. Nobu gave me another opportunity to experiment while helping bring a completely different atmosphere to life.
