When Cbabi Bayoc stepped into the historic Lincoln School in West Plains the energy shifted. Here was an artist whose vibrant colors and bold lines had transcended canvases and walls, capturing the rhythms of fatherhood, family, and Black identity in ways that pulsed with life. For the students waiting to hear his story, Bayoc wasn’t just an artist; he was a storyteller, a trailblazer, and a voice for a culture that rarely sees itself so vividly reflected. With each brushstroke, Bayoc’s work challenges, celebrates, and dances with the essence of his subjects, and today, he was bringing that same fire and passion into this room, ready to share not only his artistic journey but the purpose and love that drive every piece he creates.
Don’t be mistaken, “students” doesn’t mean children. Inside the Lincoln School, we are all Students.
Born Clifford Miskell Jr., Bayoc redefined his name and purpose at Grambling State University, transforming himself into “Cbabi”—Creative-Black-Artist-Battling-Ignorance. Later, after his marriage in 1997, he embraced a new last name, Bayoc, which stands for “Blessed-African-Youth-of-Creativity.” This name wasn’t just about him; it was a gift he could pass down to his children, a mark of pride and purpose. From his early days as a caricature artist to creating album art for musical icons like Prince, Bayoc’s journey has been marked by unexpected opportunities, resilience, and a commitment to storytelling.
Art, Humble Beginnings, and Finding a Purpose
Cbabi Bayoc didn’t set out to be an artist with a mission. Growing up on Scott Air Force Base in a military family, Bayoc enjoyed drawing cartoons, but he hadn’t considered art as a serious path. High school was a time of easy choices, avoiding standardized tests and deciding on community college for the simple fact that it didn’t require a lot of planning. When he got to college, however, art slowly began to shape his life. He started drawing more, discovering a love for creating something unique and expressive.
It was during this period that he decided on the name Cbabi. Inspired to be a force against ignorance, he committed himself to an artistic path that would celebrate Black life and challenge harmful stereotypes. This sense of mission gave his work a weight and purpose that he hadn’t anticipated. His first professional step came as a caricature artist at Six Flags St. Louis, where he honed his skills in quick sketches, humor, and capturing the essence of faces—a training ground for the expressive style he’s known for today.
Breaking into Illustration: From Six Flags to the Hip-Hop Scene
Bayoc’s career took a major turn when he landed a gig with “Rap Pages” magazine in 1998. Tasked with illustrating hip-hop icons like LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, and Missy Elliott for their RPM section, Bayoc’s caricatures were a perfect match for the vibrant energy of the hip-hop world. This opportunity not only brought his art to a national audience but also connected him with Violator Management, who commissioned him for the “Violator Compilation, Vol.1” album cover.
Capturing the personalities of hip-hop’s biggest names allowed Bayoc to combine his love for art with his passion for music. His work in this scene made him a recognizable name in urban art and set him on a path where he could experiment, grow, and ultimately infuse his work with deeper meaning. For Bayoc, art wasn’t just about aesthetic beauty; it was a medium to express culture, rhythm, and stories.
A Serendipitous Connection with Prince
One of the most pivotal moments in Bayoc’s career came from a surprising place: a charity event in St. Louis sponsored by none other than the legendary musician Prince. In 1997, Bayoc was invited to showcase his work at Dignity House, an organization that was part of Prince’s Love 4 One Another tour. Although Bayoc never expected it, Prince’s team recorded the exhibit and showed it to the artist himself. Prince was immediately captivated by Bayoc’s work, and this unexpected connection sparked a years-long artistic relationship.
On October 20, 2000, the day Bayoc’s first child was born, Prince’s team reached out to purchase new pieces. This time, Prince selected a painting titled “Reine Keis Quintet,” which would later become the cover for his 2001 album, The Rainbow Children. For Bayoc, seeing his art immortalized on an album by such a cultural icon was surreal, a dream he hadn’t dared to imagine. Prince’s interest in his work validated Bayoc’s mission, reinforcing the idea that his art had the power to connect, inspire, and transcend boundaries.
365 Days with Dad: A Tribute to Fatherhood
In 2012, Bayoc embarked on one of his most defining projects: “365 Days with Dad.” Determined to paint a new image of Black fatherhood every single day for a year, Bayoc challenged himself artistically and emotionally. Each painting captured a tender or joyful moment—fathers cooking with their children, teaching life lessons, or simply spending quiet time together. It was an antidote to the negative stereotypes about Black fathers that pervade media, a celebration of love and responsibility.
For Bayoc, this year-long project was exhausting yet deeply rewarding. Each day he would share the image on social media, inviting followers to reflect on their own relationships and stories of fatherhood. The project sparked a powerful dialogue, one that continues to resonate with audiences years later. “This was about showing real moments, moments we all share as family,” Bayoc explained to the students at Lincoln School. Through this project, he not only portrayed fathers but also became an ambassador for family unity, community, and resilience.
The Love Story Written in Art: Cbabi and Amber
While Bayoc’s career was growing, life was laying the foundation for a different kind of masterpiece: his love story with Amber, now his wife. The connection between Amber and Bayoc was, fittingly, a story bound by art. Years ago, while Bayoc was married to his first wife, he created a piece inspired by that relationship. The work resonated so strongly that prints were made, and Amber, who was engaged to someone else at the time, received one of these prints as a gift from her fiancé.
Amber cherished the print, unaware of the artist’s future role in her life. She became a fan and frequent visitor to his exhibitions, collecting more of his pieces over the years. Their paths eventually crossed, and a connection grew between them, leading to a relationship. When Bayoc first visited Amber’s home, he was taken aback to see the print of his own work—a piece he had made in a different chapter of his life—hanging in her living room. It was a poignant reminder of life’s unexpected turns and the timeless connections created through art. Now, that print remains in Amber’s possession, a symbol of their shared journey and a piece of their intertwined history.
Improvisational Art: Music and Process
Bayoc’s work is deeply influenced by music, a fact he shared with students during his visit. Growing up, his home was filled with the sounds of his mother’s vinyl records—blues, jazz, soul—and as a teenager, he was hooked on hip-hop, spending afternoons watching Rap City. For Bayoc, music isn’t just background noise; it’s part of his creative process. His choice of music influences his energy, his strokes, and the rhythm of his lines.
When painting, Bayoc might switch from the intensity of hip-hop to the introspective mood of jazz, each genre bringing out a different side of his artistry. “Sometimes I don’t even realize I’m hearing the music,” he explained. “It’s just in me.” This improvisational approach means that no two works are quite the same, as he adjusts his technique and palette based on the emotions the music stirs within him. His murals, whether for Target or a local school, come alive through this blend of spontaneity, rhythm, and expression.
The Business of Art: Amber as Partner and Manager
Amber’s role in Bayoc’s life goes beyond that of a wife; she’s also his manager. When Bayoc parted ways with his former management team, Amber stepped in to help him navigate the complexities of the art world. She handled negotiations, pricing, and logistics, allowing him to focus on the creative side of his work. This partnership has allowed Bayoc to grow without compromising his artistic integrity. Amber’s attention to the business side of things makes it possible for Bayoc to stay true to his artistic mission while also ensuring the sustainability of his career.
Amber’s pragmatic approach balances Bayoc’s artistic passion. While he might cringe at the thought of setting prices, Amber insists on assigning his work the value it deserves. Together, they have created a strong partnership that ensures his art reaches a wide audience while preserving its authenticity. Their collaboration reflects the mutual respect they hold for each other, as well as a shared commitment to building a legacy that celebrates family, culture, and creativity.
Teaching Art, Building Legacy at Lincoln School
As Bayoc shared his story with students at Lincoln School, he emphasized the importance of embracing one’s own journey. “You don’t have to know everything right away,” he told them, recalling his own path from casual doodles to national acclaim. He shared that each experience—from Six Flags to Rap Pages, and from caricatures to album covers—added a layer to his growth, eventually shaping him into the artist he is today. His visit wasn’t just about showcasing his accomplishments; it was about inspiring young people to pursue their passions with openness and resilience.
Lincoln School’s own legacy as a historically Black institution resonated deeply with Bayoc, who views art as a way of preserving and honoring history. His art doesn’t just sit on a wall; it tells stories, encourages dialogue, and invites communities to remember their roots while envisioning a hopeful future.
Legacy of Love, Family, and Purpose
For Bayoc, art is more than self-expression; it’s a legacy of love, culture, and identity. Whether he’s capturing the beauty of fatherhood, the rhythm of music, or the vibrant colors of Black life, his work speaks to generations, connecting the past, present, and future. His collaboration with Amber, both as a life partner and business manager, has given his career a stability and reach that he might never have achieved alone. Together, they have woven a life that brings together personal and professional, art and love.
Bayoc’s journey shows that art is not just about creating beauty; it’s about building connections, challenging perceptions, and leaving something behind that resonates. Cbabi Bayoc’s legacy is one of family, community, and an unwavering belief in the power of art to change lives. His visit to Lincoln School served as a reminder to all that we, too, can tell stories, inspire change, and make their own marks on the world.
