♥ Artist :: LEBO

My mother is Cuban.

My Father is Jewish.

To say that I am familiar with the city of Miami is an understatement. Growing up we traveled to Miami a lot.

I had heard about Ultra Music Festival for several years, but it probably wasn’t until 2009 when I started recognizing a lot of the artists. And in 2010 I remember feeling particularly bummed about missing that year’s events.

While rummaging through photos of the event, I caught a glimpse of a live painter on stage with the Disco Biscuits, and even amongst the haze of the crowd and the bright lights of the stage, I could see what colorful bursts were blooming on his canvas. I had to find more.

The artist was David LeBatard, also known as LEBO and to this day I'm still a huge fan. As a Miami native, I (correctly) assumed LEBO was also Cuban, making me even more of a fan of his. His bursts of saturated color are contrasted by striking linear movements in his paintings. I especially love his unique style of expression through cartoonism. He may even throw in a line or two of some very inspirational phrases that help guide his creative ideas.

This first pic is the one that initially intrigued me about the artist a year and a half ago:

LEBO also made a pit stop in Austin for SXSW in 2010 for some live painting with Chico Mann. But what I love most are the INCREDIBLE Gibson Guitars he painted at the Gibson Guitar Center in Austin that several artist played while on a bus/mobile recording studio. Check it out!


LEBO+SXSW+Gibson+AOL Lifestream - 2010. from LEBO STUDIOS on Vimeo.

Here are some pics of his amazing artwork:

And last but not least, some fairly recent street artwork done by LEBO:

 A lot of times you can find LEBO painting on stage with some of your favorite artists like, previously stated Disco Biscuits, Michael Franti or Thievery Corporation, but I love that he is now contributing his amazing art to city scapes.

Hope you enjoy and find some happiness in the colors! :)
♥ Much Love,
Mellie