Southport Magazine

Missy Ronquillo owns Pescado Y Amor, located at 8519 E. Oak Island Dr. She relocated to the area from Mexico with her husband, and they love hitting the Oak Island beach! Photo by Bethany Turner

This month we meet Missy Ronquillo, owner and resident artist of Pescado Y Amor, a colorful, sea-inspired studio and store in Oak Island (8519 E. Oak Island Dr.).

Missy often hosts Paint and Pour events, where folks can stop by the shop and paint their own masterpiece (with her help!), while sipping from some of the wine and craft beer options from The Grape and Ale, as the two stores share the same building.

Read on to learn about Missy’s artful experience in Mexico and how it brought her to North Carolina. For more info on Pescado Y Amor, call (910) 632-3908 or visit www.pescadoyamor.com.

Southport Magazine (SM): Share with me how your life in Mexico with your husband led you to Oak Island—and specifically, why did you want to open Pescado Y Amor?
Missy Ronquillo (MR): Ron and I moved from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico on a “working” vacation. We fell in love with Mexico and its culture. When it was time for us to move on to our next port, we decided to move close to family and friends with every intention of returning to Mexico.

We moved to Oak Island without prior knowledge of the area. Upon arrival in October 2009, we realized we found another piece of paradise north of the border. And we are here to stay!

We started Pescado Y Amor (translated, fish and love) in Mexico and wanted to bring a little Mexican “flavor” to Oak Island, so we kept the name.

SM: What upcoming Paint and Pour events will you have in October? What will those entail?
MR: We will still be having our regular Paint and Pour classes, which usually run Tuesdays through Saturdays each week [as of press, classes for October were not solidified], as well as a few jewelry classes, private parties and kids’ classes.
In October we will be having a special “Two for Tuesday,” wherein two people can paint for the price of one. Plus, we will be having special event classes focused on the holiday season.

SM: Is your personal work for sale in your shop? What else do you sell?
MR: Yes! Everything in the studio is for sale. I also do custom jewelry, painting orders, and murals. I am currently taking orders for the holiday season.

SM: What’s in the future for Pescado Y Amor?
MR: To continue providing an exciting and different painting experience that every person can participate in no matter what skill level. We enjoy meeting new people as well as having fun with our regular customers.

I have been considering providing a new service: “Special Events Paintings,” which would capture real-time memories on canvas, including weddings, parties, holiday events, etc.

SM: Favorite food?
MR: Homemade mac ‘n’ cheese with jalapeños.

SM: Favorite book?
MR: “Great Expectations.” (I love Dickens.)

SM: Favorite band?
MR: Japanese Motors.

SM: Favorite place to travel?
MR: Anywhere—I love to travel!

SM: Favorite thing about Oak Island?
MR: Walking with my dogs on the beach. Trying to surf with my husband when the waves are right. Fall/winter bonfires on the beach.