David Le Batard facts for kids
David Adam Le Batard (born November 19, 1972 – died August 1, 2023) was a talented Cuban-American artist. He was known by his nickname LEBO. He lived in Miami, Florida, and was famous for his amazing murals, live painting, and sculptures. Many people in southern Florida knew his art. They often called him one of the area's "most recognizable artists" because he worked with so many different art forms and on many exciting projects.
About LEBO's Life
David Le Batard was born in New York City on November 19, 1972. His parents, Gonzalo and Lourdes Le Batard, were immigrants from Cuba. He grew up in South Florida. He went to Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida. Later, he studied at Florida International University.
In 1990, David won the Silver Knight Award for art in Broward County, Florida. This award is a big honor for students. He even became a judge for the same competition later on! While he was at Florida International University, he also taught at the International Museum of Cartoon Art. He graduated from the university in 1995.
David Le Batard was the younger brother of Dan Le Batard, a well-known sportswriter in Miami. Dan hosts a popular radio and TV show called The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz. David sometimes appeared on his brother's show. Even though he said he never really liked sports, he helped his brother's show by being its art director. He designed the TV graphics and the studio where they used to film.
David Le Batard passed away on August 1, 2023, when he was 50 years old.
What Inspired LEBO's Art?
LEBO called his unique art style "postmodern cartoon art expressionism." This means his art mixed modern ideas with cartoon-like drawings and strong feelings. He often drew musicians and used ideas from music in his artwork. He was inspired by street art and Cuban music. His visual style often featured "soulful" (meaning full of feeling) lines drawn against bright, flat backgrounds of color.
LEBO's Amazing Projects and Artworks
LEBO was very creative and worked with many different materials. He made art on fabric, on the outside of airplanes, and even on the hulls (the main body) of cruise ships! He also created beautiful stained glass and designed furniture. He even worked with famous designers like Ralph Pucci. In 2008, he teamed up with an Italian tile company to create the world's largest mosaic mural in Venice, Italy. A mosaic is a picture made from small pieces of colored glass or stone.
One of his big projects was designing the outside of the Norwegian Getaway cruise ship. Imagine seeing a giant ship covered in LEBO's art!
