South Valley artist brings iconic New Mexico imagery to mural

Growing up in the South Valley, art always intrigued Joseph “Blast” Leyba.

At first, it was due to the art adorned on a lowrider.

Then he began to make model car kits and eventually evolved into making lowrider bikes.

While the lowrider medium spoke to him, there was something about murals that kept his imagination running wild.

His outlet was graffiti for a time.

Over the years, his process has been refined and Leyba is the artist behind a new mural at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.

“It took me about 40 to 50 hours to complete over a period of time,” Leyba says. “About five or six hours a day. I tried to fit the mural into my normal schedule of work.”

According to Isotopes officials, “Over the offseason, we commissioned a new mural to be painted down the right field line by local Josephy “Blast” Leyba, who also helped design our Lowrider bobbleheads this year and last and connected us with the lowrider community for our popular Lowrider Night.”

Leyba owns Blast Factory Paintworks, which is where he gets his car restoration fix.

The mural was his chance to pay homage to his home state.

Within the mural are iconic symbols of the state.

Of course, there’s the Zia symbol, baseball bat and mitt, as well as a lowrider on one half.

As the mural continues, Orbit, a chile ristra, hot air balloons, a UFO, a whiptail lizard and the state outline featuring an homage to “Breaking Bad.”

“I was lucky to have the freedom to create something different,” Leyba says.

Because the wall begins at 5 feet and goes up to 20 feet, Leyba had to bring in more than a ladder to finish his art piece.

He spray painted the entire mural.

“Id’ free hand everything on the wall,” he says. “The most difficult one was Orbit. While I was working on that, I had a reference on my phone to make sure it was done right. There were lots of ups and downs during this project.”

Isotopes officials wanted to add some more magic to the stadium and this project was another chance to work with Leyba.

“It’s nice that more people will be able to see the work,” he says. “It really did brighten up the area. I’m glad more people will get to see that side of the stadium as you walk to the children’s area. It’s perfect to take selfies.”

The Albuquerque Isotopes will play 75 games at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park this season. Opening night will be on March 29.