Ulele and Juan Ortiz

I was given the opportunity to create a mural in Tampa, Florida, depicting the lore of Tampa's most popular restaurant: Ulele.

Based on the real story of Ulele, a Native American princess of the Tocobaga tribe who saved the life of Juan Ortiz, a young Spanish explorer in 1528. It depicts both Juan and Princess Ulele and their respective symbolic elements: fire and water. Though they come from different and conflicting backgrounds, Ulele chose to pursue peace over conflict, symbolized by a pineapple connecting them in the middle. The pineapple is the symbol of Ulele restaurant, as it also represents hospitality. 

I used pencil and acrylic paint markers, treating it like one, large illustration. It is by far my largest hand-drawn piece to date.