Seaside Man Paints His Boat on a Fence After City Orders Screening Wall
SEASIDE, California — A Seaside resident responded to a city order requiring a fence in front of his boat by building the fence and painting a lifelike mural of the boat on it.
What the City Required
- In July 2023, Etienne Constable said he received a letter directing him to install a 6-foot coverage screen in front of his boat.
- The goal of the requirement was to block the boat from view using a tall fence or similar barrier.
A Creative “Letter of the Law” Response
After talking with his artist neighbor, Constable decided to comply—while also making a point.
- He built the required fence.
- He and the artist added a realistic painting of the same boat, creating the illusion the boat was still visible.
- Constable described the project as a mix of political commentary, humor, and creativity, saying: “I’m not a rule-breaker” but he believes in making expressive statements when needed.
No Official Response Yet
- Constable said the city has not responded to the mural so far.
- He views the mural as protected expression, calling it a First Amendment right, and said he would be surprised if officials ordered it removed.
Why the Fence Went Viral
Photos of the fence mural spread quickly online, drawing thousands of comments across social media.
- Constable and the artist said they were surprised by the scale of the reaction.
- Constable said the attention has been far beyond expectations and that they are happy it is making people smile.
The Artist’s Perspective: “Eyesore” vs. “Art”
The mural was created by Hanif Panni, an artist with other murals along the Central Coast. He said the piece encourages a broader conversation:
- What counts as an eyesore?
- When does something become art?
Panni also said public art can engage people in ways that direct outreach sometimes cannot, because it sparks conversation naturally.
What Happens Next
With the mural attracting so much attention:
- Panni said other Seaside residents have already asked him to create similar murals for their own boat fences.
- Constable says he is prepared to defend the mural as expression, if the city raises concerns later.