Merced artist encourages the Central Valley with his murals
Saul Siete Gonzalez paints for his mental health and to inspire others
MERCED, Calif– If you have ever driven on Hwy 180 East in Fresno, then you may have spotted a giant mural painted on a pillar where Hwy 180 and Hwy 41 cross. It stands at 45 feet tall. It is called “Titan.” It is a four-faced portrait of athletes of different cultural backgrounds standing united as they achieve their dreams. It is a larger-than-life message that crosses the path of countless people everyday.
The man behind the mural, and others throughout Fresno, is Saul Siete Gonzalez.
Saul was drawn to art as a kid and had practiced his craft for many years before setting down his brush to start a new life in Mexico City. He earned a degree and worked in Mexico for years before moving back to the United States.
Saul came to Merced from Mexico City to join his family and live a simpler life.
“It’s quiet, calmer, and because of a lifestyle that’s totally different from Mexico City here,” Gonzalez said.
Soon an opportunity presented itself that brought Saul out of his 15 year artistic sabbatical. The Fresno Arts Council and CalTrans partnered for the Clean California Initiative to find artists to beautify Fresno.
Saul was selected as one of the artists. He now has his mural “Achieving Purpose” in San Pablo Park and “Titan” in front of Romain Park. They are both available for the public to see and enjoy.
“I want the community to be able to see a style up close that you wouldn’t find in a museum, but to see it on the streets, not just as graffiti, but rather a very detailed mural with a profound theme,” Gonzalez said.
Saul’s Art Takes Flight
In December 2025, Saul’s art not only interacted with Central Valley locals but visitors too. His latest mural is inside the Fresno Yosemite International Airport as part of their newest expansion. The airport has several art displays, including permanent pieces like Saul’s and rotating displays from local artists.
Saul’s mural at the airport is called “Valley of Dreams and Hopes.”
It took 60 hours to complete the mural that measures 8ft tall and 25ft wide. Saul had many ideas about the details he wanted to include in the piece but had a clear message in mind.
“The Central Valley represents a clear path to opportunity for many Hispanic people and many immigrants, and those opportunities come from agriculture and farming,” Saul said.
He wanted to honor the community that is already established here and combine it with hopes for the future.
“The children, while playing, were very committed to their dreams, which is why it’s like a valley of dreams and hopes that reflects the future but also the identity of the valley,” Saul said.
The paintings make an immediate impression on those who see it.
Dianne Matteson is also a painter and she currently lives in Mexico. She noticed Saul’s mural before her flight to Guadalajara. She was an admirer of the mural and of the artist. She, like Saul, believes that art has a purpose in the world.
“I think that painting should be everywhere,” Matteson said. “It helps people see the world as it is and it’s a beautiful picture.”
Maria Liver Castellanos is from Mexico but lives in the United States now. She was also impressed with Saul’s mural and its cultural integration.
“The part I liked the most was the fruit, the girl, the colors, everything they implemented,” Castellanos said. “Those flowers that are very representative of our country, those costumes that are mainly from Oaxaca, and all the colors they created. He is an excellent painter.”
The future is a blank canvas, ready and waiting
Saul is applying for future projects and looks forward to serving the community as an independent artist.
He has expanded his skills by working with tiles for mosaics. He’s also tried his hand at painting faux stained-glass windows.
His home is covered with walls of art inspired by his heritage, his family, and his environment. He has created floor-to-ceiling paintings with an array of colors that match the setting of each purpose. Hues of red and green for cultural pieces. Primary colors and soft shapes of animals for a children’s setting. Bold browns and bright blues for a Yosemite tribute mural.
Saul has never considered art a profession, but rather a passion and a form of therapy.
“The themes I address are related not only to identity, not only to decorating spaces, but also to making people feel motivated by what they see,” Gonzalez said.
When he’s not painting, Saul likes to get involved with community classes for music and sports. He prioritizes his mental health and aims to help others to do the same. He hopes that his art can benefit the community when they see it.
The Central Valley may be able to see more of Saul’s artwork soon in the coming year. For more updates about what’s next for Saul, be sure to follow him on his Instagram and Facebook.