David LeBatard

David LeBatard (also know by nickname LEBO) is a Cuban-American graphic and fine artist based in Miami, Florida, best known for murals, live painting, and sculpture. He has been described as one of South Florida's "most recognizable artists",^[1] and "almost an institution" in the art world for his wide range of media, projects, and locations.^[2]

Personal history

Lebo was born in New York City in 1972 to Cuban parents.^[3][4] He was raised in South Florida,^[5] where he attended the Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida.^[6] then Florida International University. Overcoming a lack of support and encouragement from his school, he entered and won the 1990 Silver Knight Award for art in Broward County, Florida^[7], and later judged that competition.^[6] He was a lecturer in residence at the International Museum of Cartoon Art while attending Florida International University, which he graduated in 1995.^[4][5]

LEBO is brother of Miami sportswriter Dan Le Batard.

Themes and influences

LeBatard refers to his work as "postmodern cartoon art expressionism".^[8] He often depicts musicians and musical metaphors, inspired by street art and Cuban music.^[5] His visual style involves "soulful" line-based abstractions against bold flat color backgrounds.^[1]

Works, collaboration, and commissions

LEBO's first public exhibit was at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami in 1996, after which he began selling paintings and receiving commissions.^[9] He has since exhibited in galleries throughout the United States.^[9] His works include a number of murals and other public art installations in Detroit, New Orleans, and South Florida^[10] and bicycle racks.^[11] A mural he painted for American football star Ricky Williams appeared on television when Williams' home was featured on MTV Cribs.^[4]

LeBatard has collaborated extensively with various musicians. He appeared and toured with Thievery Corporation, the Beastie Boys, Bela Fleck, Burning Spear,^[12] Disco Biscuits,^[13] Cuban band Conjunto Progresso, and Arturo Sandoval,^[14] among others, creating live art while the groups performed. He has also designed CD cover art and other artwork for Phish, The Spam Allstars, and the Latin Grammys.^[15] He has appeared in Mexico City, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Jamaica for various site-specific art projects, including a trip to the Amazon funded by the Ford Foundation.^[9]

LeBatard has been commissioned for commercial art by Bacardi, Adidas, Gibson Guitars, Nestle,^[1] Macy's,^[16][17] the Miami Heat,^[18] Calvin Klein, "Zoe's Summer Groove", and the Langerado Music Festival.^[5][19]

He has also worked in the media of fabric,^[20] aircraft exteriors,^[21], stained glass, furniture (he collaborated with designer Ralh Pucci, among others),^[2] and flower shows.^[17][22] In 2008 he collaborated with an Italian tile manufacturer to design the world's largest mosaic mural in Venice, Italy.^[23]

External links

• lebostudios.com - Official studio website
• Facebook page

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Vanessa Garcia. "Inside the artists' studio". Miami Herald. http://www.miami.com/miami-artists-studio-guide. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub (2004-08-05). "Artist finds commercial, fine art worlds blend". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8785961_ITM. 
3. ^ "Artist's Cartoon World Fuses Patria and Pop Culture". Miami Herald. 1997-07-23. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4D803A9158781&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "LEBO". City of Boynton Beach. http://www.boynton-beach.org/government/departments/public_art/exhibits/lebo.html. 
5. ^ ^{a b c d} "Langerado Music Festival". http://www.langerado.com/home2.php?bandid=96. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Artist draws on his experience". Miami Herald. 1990. http://www.miamiherald.com/978/story/482569.html. 
7. ^ "Silver Knight Winners". Miami Herald. 1990. http://www.miamiherald.com/1398/story/747201.html. 
8. ^ John Fordam (August, 2008). "Guru of Groove". Art Exist. 
9. ^ ^{a b c} "Lebo". Wall Love. http://www.wallove.com/artist.php?aid=13. 
10. ^ Liz Tracy (2009-06-11). "Design and Dine Simply Divine: Fashion meets foodstuffs at Miami party". NBC Miami. http://www.nbcmiami.com/around-town/events/Design-and-Dine-Simply-Divine.html. 
11. ^ "Bike the Grove". Green Mobility Network. 2009-03-29. http://greenmobilitynetwork.org/?q=content/bike-grove. 
12. ^ Christopher Gaspar. "Trinumeral Music and Arts Festival". All About Jazz. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=22789. 
13. ^ "Disco Biscuits 04 LEBO". expressobeans.com. http://www.expressobeans.com/public/detail.php/9781. 
14. ^ "Free Cuban orchestra, trumpet music". Miami FL On the Cheap. 2009-04-08. http://miamiflonthecheap.com/2009/04/08/free-cuban-orchestra-trumpet-concert/. 
15. ^ "Miami Artist Lebo :: Coming to EFEST". EFest Florida. 2008-11-11. http://efestflorida.blogspot.com/2008/11/miami-artist-lebo-coming-to-efest.html. 
16. ^ Deborah Donovan (2008-03-22). "Let Latin culture grow on you at Macy's plant display". Daily Herald. http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=156435&src=119. 
17. ^ ^{a b} "Floranova". Chicago Arts Coalition. 2008. http://www.caconline.org/event.asp?eventid=25548. 
18. ^ "“Uptown” Seating Debut". National Basketball Association. 2006-10-26. http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat_opennight_061030.html. 
19. ^ Vanessa Garcia. "Inside the artists' studio". Miami Herald. http://www.miami.com/miami-artists-studio-guide. 
20. ^ Charlyne Varkonyi (2004-07-16). "Fine-Tooned Design Home Furnishings Companies Are Drawn to David 'LEBO' Le Batard's Animated Style. Any Way You Paint It, He's a Hit". South Florida Sun Sentinel. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/665286391.html?dids=665286391:665286391&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+16%2C+2004&author=Charlyne+Varkonyi+Schaub+Home+%26+Garden+Editor&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=FINE-TOONED+DESIGN+HOME+FURNISHINGS+COMPANIES+ARE+DRAWN+TO+DAVID+%60LEBO%27+LE+BATARD%27S+ANIMATED+STYLE.+ANY+WAY+YOU+PAINT+IT%2C+HE%27S+A+HIT.&pqatl=google. 
21. ^ "Miami Visual Artist LEBO Creates Art Design for Aircraft of Non-Profit Organization". tradingmarkets.com (press release). 2008-10-08. http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1936342/. 
22. ^ Tim Harlow (2008-03-13). "Flowers and 50 today". Minneapolis Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/local/16642321.html. 
23. ^ "Live Painting by LEBO". Langerado festival. http://www.langerado.com/home2.php?bandid=96.