Capitan Man Completes Mural in Carlsbad

By Michele Robertson

Regional artist Michael Fish of artbyfish, based out of Capitan, recently completed his eighth mural within the Carlsbad city limits. SEWN, the acronym for South, East, West, North, can be found in the public parking area located off Canal Street, situated behind Lucky Bull Grill and Milton’s Brewing.

Fish, whose enjoyment of art started at around four years old, has been actively painting murals since 2018. “I painted my first mural (three actually) inside the Barry Elementary School in Clovis. That was 2006. Fast forward to 2018, and there’s my next mural, which started me on the path of murals I’m currently on,” he said.

SEWN features a different scene on each of the four sides of the bathroom walls. He started the mural on June 20 and finished July 14. With the rain and a holiday mixed in, Fish worked at night for many reasons, mostly out of necessity. “It’s cooler. Less wind. Less people and/or traffic. Less congestion. Many days, it rained off and on all day and only had a reprieve at night. On a good day, I’d get eight to 12 hours in daylight and six to eight at night,” he said.

Contracted by the City of Carlsbad, artbyfish murals can be seen in various areas around town, as well as throughout the region. He’s the artist behind our “Welcome to Carlsbad” sign, the beach bandshell, the new fitness mural, an electrical box or two, and more around town. He’s also the artist of the “Welcome to Ruidoso,” “Welcome to Artesia,” and “Welcome to White’s City” signs. One of his most recognizable works is The Brody, which can be found scattered along the highways and byways in southeast New Mexico.

“The Brody, this is a figure I created from and for my son, Brody. It started as a horse skull with a fang-type tooth and a single antler. It evolved into more of a bird-like skull, no teeth, and keeping the single antler,” Fish said.

“Brody has autism, and when he was young, I was struggling with all that entails. I only saw my little boy, but therapists and doctors and everyone else saw something else. I felt deeply that he had a mask on, and all I wanted in this world was for that mask to come off and everyone see what I saw.

“I came to realize this image touched many people, and I believe it’s because in one way or another, we all wear a mask,” he added. “Very rarely do we let our true self be seen.

“Without doubt, The Brody is what I get asked about most. I’ve had people tell me they just lost someone, and The Brody made them think of that special person. People comment on the mystery and emotion of the character. The Brody will always be in my art and, of course, remain special to me,” Fish reminisced.

“There is not The Brody in every mural. But he is in most. Yes, in the restroom mural, hospital box, bandshell, Carlsbad town mural, Whites City, and the new fitness court mural as well,” he said.

Often, when Fish is working, he has visitors. Some are curious individuals looking to see what he’s up to; others are local law enforcement officers responding to a call about some guy painting on a wall. “This is commonplace with every mural I’ve done. And it’s no surprise and a good thing that citizens care when they see someone slapping paint on a building in their town. The police are typically very nice and immediately ascertain that I am indeed working, and a brief conversation is had, and I usually get new followers on my socials!”

Fish shared one of his more interesting encounters while painting. “The oddest encounter was probably the Carlsbad town mural. At night, the jail would let people out pretty late. Led to some interesting interactions and conversations. It was a lot of fun.

“I want readers to KNOW my art…to know of artbyfish, just to have people aware of the guy behind the art they see on buildings in their town and hopefully follow me on my journey of both mural and canvas art,” Fish said.

“Create! Draw, paint, sculpt, write, sing, act, build, whatever it is you do, do it! I feel the most important thing any creative can do is create. Be prolific. Whether your work is being seen or not, keep making more,” Fish enthused.

Follow artbyfish on social media channels and by visiting artbyfish.org