12' x 6' Mural titled 'Jardin de Reyes: Cafecito's'

Del Paso Blvd

Project Overview

Jardin de Reyes presents Cafecito isn’t your typical café—it’s a community space in the making. The owner, Reyes (yes, the name inspired the brand), had a vision that extended beyond coffee. The space includes a cozy café up front and a large open-air event patio in the back complete with a stage for live music, comedy, and cultural gatherings. He wanted a brand identity that felt flexible, inclusive, and distinctly rooted in Latin culture.

At the time we connected, the space was just getting started—he had only recently leased the building. The interior was completely blank and the exterior walls were dark grey, giving off more of a “we’re still closed” vibe than a welcoming cultural hub. The vision was there, but the space needed personality. Bold, unapologetic color. Something that said, “Something new is happening here.” That’s where I came in.

Creative Process

We met on-site and talked about his goals. He gave me complete creative freedom, just asking for something “bright and cultural.” I immediately went to work on a digital mockup, pulling inspiration from traditional Mexican architecture and color palettes. I designed a central arch element—a nod to traditional Mexican interiors—and paired it with rich, saturated hues like magenta, orange, yellow, and teal.

Even though painting the wall wasn’t part of the original plan, I went ahead and created color mockups of different background options. Once he saw how much better the design popped against teal, he painted the whole wall before I started the mural. And it worked beautifully. Throughout the project, he stuck around—partly for my safety (since the area isn’t always the safest to work alone in), but also because he was just genuinely excited to see it come to life. The only hiccup was the lift we borrowed from another business—it was a little temperamental and slowed me down here and there, but nothing major.

The final mural features a bold arch with traditional Latin colors, instantly giving the space warmth, character, and identity. It transformed a blank grey wall into a visual invitation—welcoming, festive, and full of soul. As the owner painted the interior café floor a bright orange mid-process, the whole space started coming together—walls, floors, and brand all syncing into one cohesive story.

While the mural may not have surprised him (he watched the whole process), he was blown away by the details and how well it all came together. The mural added exactly the energy he was hoping for—and more. His sister, who handles marketing, posted it on social media and started getting tons of love and great feedback based on the mural alone. People were tagging the location and saying they couldn’t wait to visit once it opened.

The Outcome

The owner and I actually knew each other from way back in high school—but we had lost touch over the years. He reached out to me through my cousin, since he had seen the mural work I’d done for other restaurants and wanted to bring me in to help create the visual identity for his new space. He didn’t have a specific mural concept in mind, but he did know two things: he wanted something vibrant that represented Latin culture, and he wanted it to be seen.

Located right off the main stretch of Del Paso Blvd, this mural wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about branding. He wanted people driving or walking by to notice it, get curious, and feel something. He wanted it to reflect the warmth, creativity, and energy of the Latin community—and signal that a new neighborhood gem was on its way.

The Impact

Even before Cafecito opened its doors, the mural was doing its job—sparking curiosity, drawing attention, and establishing a strong visual identity on one of Sacramento’s busiest streets. I’ve had several business owners from nearby spots stop by to ask for my info, opening up new opportunities and connections within the community.

On a personal note, this project helped me rebuild a friendship with the owner, who has since mentioned plans to hire me for future murals inside the café—one possibly featuring hummingbirds (yes, please!)—and maybe even host sip and paint classes at the venue. This was more than a mural—it was the beginning of a long-term collaboration built on creativity, trust, and community roots.

Contact Me for Mural Projects

If you’re ready to turn your space into something unforgettable, let’s create something bold together.