Local artist Jen Swain paints bubbles and fish onto her Malibu Country Mart mural Sept. 19. She said the mural is the final installation in the “One Ocean, One Connection” series. Photo by Alexa McGlathery
Malibu holds beauty and awareness within its wildlife. The Malibu Art Commission chose one local artist earlier in 2026 to help emphasize the importance of limiting ocean pollution from storm drains through painted murals.
Jen Swain, the artist chosen, created a collection of murals titled “One Ocean, One Connection” to spread awareness about waste traveling into the ocean. Raised in Malibu, Swain said she strives to help the community.
“Being around sea life [in Malibu], I was wanting to show that these drains do drain into the ocean,” Swain said. “We want to be conscious and aware of what we put in the streets so that we don’t pollute the ocean.”
The Creation
Swain said she grew up painting and has specifically focused on painting murals for the past eight years.
“I love Malibu and its vibe,” Swain said. “When they said [one of these murals] was gonna be in The Malibu Country Mart I was like, ‘Wait that’s so home,’ so it’s just very exciting to be back in Malibu.”
Local artist Jen Swain’s octopus mural transforms a neighborhood street and sidewalk into a colorful spectacle Sept. 19. The mural is located at Trancas Canyon Park. Photo courtesy of The Malibu Art Commission
The storm drains were previously painted in 2014 and 2018. The latest project began with a call for qualifications from interested artists, according to the Malibu Arts Commission website.
“They wanted to redo the artwork that they had,” Swain said. “I submitted my artwork and [the City of Malibu] selected it.”
Painting with Purpose
The murals not only spark awareness about pollution, but they also aim to unite people, Swain said. Community engagement factored into Swain, the artist’s painting process.
“I’ve already had several people walk by and I’m like, ‘You wanna paint a fish?’ and they were like, ‘Yes,’ and so I had them come and stop and paint a fish,” Swain said.
Local artist Jen Swain paints some of Malibu’s native fish species on the sidewalk outside of Cross Creek Road on Sep. 19. Swain said she starts her painting process by referencing inspiration photos. Photo by Alexa McGlathery
Malibu is hosting a Buzz, Bloom and Paint event Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where guests can paint a mural for the Pollinator Garden located at Malibu Bluffs Park. The event is free and welcomes painters of all ages.
“Enjoy the art and [for] yourself, do more art,” Swain said. “It’s super fun and it’s super good for your soul.”
The Impact
Local artist Jen Swain’s sea turtle mural adds a pop of color to the Point Dume Village mural Sept. 19. The mural spans along the shopping center and Heathercliff Road. Photo courtesy of The Malibu Arts Commission
Some students said they connect well with Swain’s art.
“I think the message of it is very beautiful, especially for the area that we are in,” junior Sage Marron said. “It brings a lot of good awareness in such a wonderful way.”
Other students said the locations of the murals are what make them the most impactful.
“It’s very impactful because we specifically are so close to the ocean,” junior Ashely Cunnigham said. “waste and produce leads to ocean quicker .”
The four murals are located in the Malibu Country Mart, Trancas Canyon Park, the intersection of Phillip Avenue and Morning View Drive and the Point Dume Village.
This story was copy edited by Haylie Ross
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Contact Sydnie Nuss via email: sydnie.nuss@pepperdine.edu