Get to know CBabi Bayoc, a talented artist making waves in the St. Louis art scene, leaving an unforgettable impression with his vibrant creations.
Cbabi Bayoc at his studio in Grand Center | Photo by Mark Hermes
Cbabi Bayoc’s signature strokes animate blank canvases, city walls, book pages, seltzer cans and even album covers.
The celebrated visual artist draws inspiration from children’s books and street art for his colorful, cartoonish style, which he applies to subjects such as family, community and music.
“Happy, sad, frustrated, scared – painting is my go-to,” Bayoc says. “Picking up a brush eases my brain. With my work, I, in turn, want to make people feel inspired and empowered.”
Cbabi Bayoc’s studio in Grand Center | Photo by Mark Hermes
Cbabi Bayoc’s studio in Grand Center | Photo by Mark Hermes
Cbabi Bayoc’s studio in Grand Center | Photo by Mark Hermes
Cbabi Bayoc’s mural in The Walls Off Washington | Photo by Mark Hermes
After working in an art gallery at St. Louis Union Station and drawing caricatures at Six Flags St. Louis for a season, Bayoc devoted himself to painting.
“I could always draw,” he says, “but I didn’t take art seriously until college.”
In 1992, Bayoc transferred from Southwestern Illinois College to Grambling State University, where he created his name: CBABI (Creative Black Artist Battling Ignorance) BAYOC (Blessed African Youth of Creativity). Since then, he’s relied on acrylic and spray paint, passion and purpose to create worlds where our children can thrive.
From the cover art for Prince’s 24th studio album, The Rainbow Children, to brand-new cans of Mighty Kind limited-edition seltzer, Bayoc’s uplifting imagery features vibing musicians, intimate bonds and expressive faces.
One of his most impactful collections of portraiture is 365 Days with Dad, which began as a 2012 New Year’s resolution to paint a positive image of Black fatherhood every day of the year. “I wanted to battle the narrative that fathers aren’t at home,” he explains. “A lot of the dads in the paintings didn’t grow up with their fathers, but they are present with their kids. Each portrait captures a moment in time, which says it all. Parenthood isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up and being present.”
When Bayoc debuted the project on Facebook, people from near and far started commissioning works, resulting in a touching – and exhausting – journey that shared familial stories of heartbreak and hope, love and loss.
“St. Louis has so many walls with no other purpose than being a wall. Why not add a hopeful message that can change a person’s energy when they encounter it?”– Cbabi Bayoc
Painting is the driving force behind Bayoc’s career. In The B Side, a new show at his studio in the Grand Center Arts District, he takes the medium to a new level.
“I want to show people a different side of my work, so I’ve included some surprises,” he says. “I watch a lot of documentaries about history and current affairs, so those have definitely influenced the work, which I would also describe as improvisational – much like a jazz piece.”
Across the street from his studio at 3318 Washington Ave., Bayoc created a mural for The Walls Off Washington, an art initiative helmed by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation. The bold composition is a nod to the communities that once existed in newly developed areas of St. Louis, particularly the Mill Creek Valley neighborhood where 20,000 predominantly Black residents prospered.
“The main character of the mural – a well-dressed, elderly Black man – sits with his legs crossed,” Bayoc explains. “The people who lived in Mill Creek Valley were distinguished. They had businesses, families and lives that I hope to represent.
“Across the top, the mural reads ‘New Home,’” he continues. “People can interpret that in different ways. There’s also a filing cabinet on the side that says ‘Eligible’ and ‘Rejected,’ which alludes to the fact that, historically, some people have chosen where other people live.”
The mural also boasts musical elements inspired by Peacock Alley, one of St. Louis’ most important nightclubs in the 1950s, where famous locals such as Miles Davis played.
“I love making murals because they have such a positive impact on the landscape,” Bayoc says. “People have told me that they feel brighter when they drive by one – that’s the goal.
“St. Louis has so many walls with no other purpose than being a wall,” he continues. “Why not add a hopeful message that can change a person’s energy when they encounter it?”
Bayoc has completed 20 murals in schools across the region, focusing on inclusion to make every student feel seen, and he recently completed a mural in Target on Grand Boulevard, which illustrates the importance of community.
In addition to the mural in The Walls Off Washington, his outdoor murals enliven buildings from the Delmar Loop to The Grove. He’s also working on a new mural at Lindell and Grand boulevards on the campus of Saint Louis University. As you drive from one to the other, you’ll get a sense of St. Louis, which is often referred to as a city of neighborhoods. Each one has its own identity, with a unique character, style and vibe that adds to the vibrant patchwork of our region, and Bayoc is leaving his mark on both the iconic and the undervalued.
Cbabi Bayoc’s mural in Target on Grand Boulevard | Photo by Mark Hermes
Cbabi Bayoc’s mural at Urban Chestnut Grove Brewery and Bierhall | Photo by Mark Hermes
Cbabi Bayoc’s mural in Big Brothers Big Sisters on Grand Boulevard | Photo by Mark Hermes
Cbabi Bayoc’s mural at 6350 Delmar Boulevard | Photo by Mark Hermes
Cbabi Bayoc’s mural at Skinker and Delmar boulevards | Photo by Mark Hermes
Bayoc sells paintings at his studio, but if you’re looking for a piece of his art that fits in your suitcase, consider a copy of Goodnight Racism.
A modern bedtime classic written by New York Times best-selling author Ibram X. Kendi, the picture book uses Kendi’s poetic prose and Bayoc’s imaginative art to deliver important messages about antiracism, justice and equality. Empowering readers big and small, Goodnight Racism gives us the language to dream of a better world.
“At first, I was nervous thinking about what to draw since it’s such a heavy topic,” Bayoc explains, “but once I talked it through with my wife, it felt good to work on such an important project. With everything that’s happening in the world, it just felt right.”
Head to local independent bookstores such as Left Bank Books in the Central West End and The Novel Neighbor in Webster Groves to get your copy today!
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