Cbabi Bayoc - Visiting Artist

Cbabi Bayoc

Cbabi (pronounced Kuh-bob-bi) Bayoc is an internationally-known visual artist and illustrator residing in St. Louis, Missouri. His

subjects (what is represented in the work that the viewer sees) "include family, children, music and a bunch of other cool stuff designed with line, bold color and phunk!" Phunk would be like a cool factor or an element of cool. His name, which is an acronym (what is an acronym?) for Creative Black Artist Battling Ignorance and Blessed African Youth of Creativity, allows others to realize his mission and blessing in life. 

Since becoming a full-time artist in 1995, after graduating from Grambling State University, Cbabi has stayed true to himself by creating what he enjoys.  Because he is an artist, C’Babi allows his style to change when it feels like it.  

In 2012  Cbabi vowed to create a portrait a day of a father interacting with his kid. The resulting project, titled 365 Days With Dad series.  

Why 365? What is a series? 

In this series, Cbabi has portrayed fathers in African-American families for an entire year which resulted in a journey that was inspiring (and exhausting!), ultimately resulting in the sharing of many stories of good experiences, no experience and hopeful experiences of Dads of all life stages. 

The project started a dialogue within the community about the importance of a strong foundation and support system for all children, no matter the age. 

 Through his artwork, he is able to show his passion for both music and human expression.

This artwork is in our St. Louis airport so visitors traveling in and out of St. Louis get to see Cbabi's art.

Over the years, Cbabi has had the pleasure of working with many more famous and not-so-famous folk. All are equally appreciated. Some clientele include Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, New Line Cinema, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MCA Records, and singer, songwriter Prince.  

 Today, Cbabi spends his time working on a variety of projects, including portraits, community murals, school murals, children’s book illustrations and is always up for a new challenge. 

He likes traveling to schools and talking with students about their own power in determining their destiny, using his own life experiences as lessons. He also enjoys spending time embarrassing his three teenage children and supporting the Bayoc family-owned bakeshop and studio, SweetArt, located in the Shaw neighborhood of St. Louis City. 

What advice would you give to a young adult who wants to try to make a living as an artist?

"Create as much as you can with 100 percent effort, and then find a great college with a great art department with a great staff with great connections to the outer art world. And, when you get in, work..."