Tuly’s Tacos Mural
Downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma | May 2024
40' × 12' | Aerosol on drywall
This project was a special one because Tuly’s Tacos is owned by my longtime friend Joel Ramos.
Joel and I go way back. We grew up going to the same schools, and I was in the same grade as his sister Daisy, who was also a good friend of mine. Years later, seeing Joel build Tuly’s Tacos and then getting the opportunity to contribute artwork to the restaurant made this project feel a little more personal.
When we started talking about the mural, a lot of our conversations centered around history and roots.
We wanted the artwork to recognize where the family came from while also celebrating where they are today, right in the middle of downtown Tulsa.
Throughout the mural, I incorporated imagery connected to their story and the identity of Tuly’s Tacos. One of their food trucks was painted into the composition, connecting the restaurant back to another part of their journey.
I also incorporated an agave field, marigolds, a chapulín, and other imagery connected to their roots in Mexico. The agave was not about what the restaurant serves, but rather the landscape and cultural connection to where the family comes from. The chapulín also connected back to their other food truck and a familiar symbol already represented within their business.
Among those elements, we added the word “Dreamer.” It felt fitting for a mural centered around roots, ambition, and the journey of building something of your own.
Color played an important role throughout the piece. I wanted everything to feel warm, vibrant, and connected while still giving each element room to tell part of the story.
As the mural transitioned toward Tulsa, the imagery began reflecting the place where that story continues today.
I incorporated the Tulsa flag, the Golden Driller, the outline of Oklahoma, a buffalo icon, and a Route 66 sign, recognizing the restaurant’s location near one of the most iconic roads running through Tulsa. Bringing everything together was “T Town,” another direct nod to the city.
That contrast became one of my favorite parts of the mural.
One side looks toward the roots, traditions, and places that helped shape the family. The other recognizes Tulsa and the city where they have continued building their story. In between are ideas of movement, dreams, and the journey from one place to another.
Joel also gave me a lot of creative freedom with this project. Having someone you have known for so long trust you with a 40 foot wall inside something they have worked hard to build means a lot.
There is something cool about growing up around people, watching everyone take their own path, and then years later finding ways for those paths to cross again.
For us, this time it happened through tacos and a mural.
