EXCLUSIVE TO THE WRITE FOX BLOG
Since Prince’s death last Thursday, many stories have surfaced about his love of the arts and his compassion for others, but in 1998 both of those themes came together right here in St. Louis. The result was a lot of happier kids and one very happy artist, whose work would become the cover of Prince’s 2001 album, The Rainbow Children.
Cbabi Bayoc is that artist. At the time, his work was on display at Dignity House, a program of Neighborhood Houses, on Union Boulevard (today the Boo Cat Club). Prince was in town for a concert in Collinsville, Illinois.
Prince asked some staffers to drop off food and other items for the kids in Dignity House’s after-school program. The artwork impressed the staff members so much that they snapped some pictures and took them back to Prince.
Prince loved the name “Dignity House” because of how it could empower kids. When he saw the artwork later, he loved it, too. He reached out to Bayoc to buy some of his paintings.
“He originally bought five paintings, but about two years later one of his people called to ask about buying some more,” Bayoc remembers. “I sent him some photos and he bought three more. Then a few months later a young woman with his organization called again to buy the rights to one of them for use on an album cover.”
The painting was titled The Reine Keis Quintet. Reine Keis is Bayloc’s wife. He painted it after she suggested that he make more paintings of women.
“Because Prince bought all the rights, including naming rights, he renamed it The Rainbow Children,” Bayoc says.
So what was it like knowing his artwork would be used as the cover of a Prince album?
“It was a big honor, but I didn’t see how big it was until I started to get email from places like Japan and Australia from people wanting prints of the image,” he says. “I couldn’t provide them because Prince had all the rights, but it was exciting to know my work was being seen and liked around the world.”
Even with the attention all things Prince are getting today, Bayoc is modest about his achievement.
“You never know what’s gonna happen. You just keep doing what you do,” he says. “But it does give me a special feeling knowing how many people cherish the image.”
Today, Bayoc is still producing art, and it’s still on display–in Reine’s bakeshop/art studio SweetArt in the Shaw Neighborhood (2203 S. 39th Street).
I think I know where I’m headed for coffee tomorrow!
Thank you for the interview sir. Honored to be part of you blog. Best to you and yours!
Prince saw the genius that we all get the see and share through Cbabi Bayoc’s work, God broke the mold on Prince and Cbabi’s Artistic talents in my book and I am blessed to have experienced both in my life time. Maybe the Estate could donate the Art Work and rights back to Cbabi to support what he is doing with the kids today. Fabulous dad and mentor to children and glad he is my mentor as well. This article made me smile BIG because when I saw it, I thought it was his work or that someone copied his style and didn’t even think about it again until I read this. YOU GO MAN!!!!!! #BLESSED #GODshowingoff #GIFTED
Cbabi Bayoc brings out a multitude of emotions through his paintings. It does not surprise me that his art garners attention throughout the world and that Prince would have appreciated it. I became a fan in 2003 when I saw his art on a cd cover by a different musical artist; becoming a collector thereafter, showing his art in significant art exhibitions. Thank you, Cbabi, for this inspirational connection between St. Louis and Prince.
Thanks for your time and putting up with my many phone calls yesterday, Cbabi! This painting has such energy and grace, I’m not surprised Prince picked it!
You have to appreciate true artistry in order to recognize it. It is a great thing when two artist come together to create great work. I wish to one day I can purchase more of Cbabi work because I fell in love with it from the time I first laid eyes on his work.
That is amazing, I never knew this; but anyone would become infatuated with your work at first sight! Proud of you Cbabi…
Cbabi, you are so humble. I had no idea! That’s why God keeps blessing you and your family!
Excellent blog Tim. Is there a way to subscribe?
What a great story!!! Beautiful artistry.
More and more his work and worth becomes significantly appreciated and enjoyed by many. We need a dose or two of fresh creativity in our lives. Partake… enjoy… continue to make a difference.
This is SO cool on a few of levels! First, I am a HUGE Prince lover…I have been so very sad about his untimely passing but continue to celebrate the man and the music we were blessed to experience. Secondly, I am a HUGE fan of Cbabi’s work, I am also proud to say it is an honor to have he and his lovely wife as in our beloved South St. Louis…more specifically Shaw Community. Our children attend the same school 🙂 and lastly, I was in attendance at Prince’s Collinsville concert many moons ago 😉 I share a fond memory of that concert as well…my friend was pulled on stage with several other audience members to dance with Prince that night! I’m happy to report she did not have a Kim K moment! Thank you for this article.
Thanks for your wonderful comment, Ericka!
That’s fabulous. What a honor that should been.
The beauty of Cbabi’s work is not only his colors and vision but his spirit that’s evident in every stroke of his brush.
Cbabi bayoc is one of st Louis’s true gems not only in his art works but in his character!!