Francisco Ramírez Morales’ murals can be found across the Anchorage bowl.
From Bema Cafe in midtown to Rafelitos in south Anchorage, Morales paints vibrant surrealist landscapes inspired by Alaska’s flora and fauna.
“I can describe my style as surrealistic,” Morales said. “I can create something that is putting pieces together: animals, skulls, stuff like that.”
Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, Morales moved to Anchorage around five years ago. He began painting murals while he was studying physical education in sports at the University of Baja California after winning a competition to paint one on campus.
He never went to school for art, and is self-taught. Morales is a cook, and says he began getting projects in the Anchorage restaurants he worked in, as well as word of mouth.
“When I got here in Alaska, there were a lot of doors that opened for me to do art,” he said.
He recently finished a mural at Jalapeno’s Mexican Restaurant — a 10-by-10-foot mural which he says took around three weeks, or around 40 hours — and will be working on a second for the restaurant after opening their Eagle River location, he says.
“Here in Alaska, lately I have been connecting more with Hispanic people, and they start to know me … I think there are not too many Hispanic artists in Alaska, and for them it’s hard to connect with artists from Mexico or Hispanic people,” he said.
Morales and his wife, who is a graphic designer that creates most of his flyers, recently had their first baby. Morales says he’s inspired by both of them, as well as his culture and heritage.
“I just want to say thank you to the people who have been supporting my art,” Morales said. “I just want to keep going and doing what I love to do.”
Morales teaches painting classes at schools across Anchorage, as well as at local coffee shops and restaurants. His next paint night class will be at La Michoacana on Tudor Road on Oct. 9 from 6-8 p.m. Spots are $35 each.
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
