{{Short description|Cuban-American artist (1972–2023)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} [[File:Lebo 01.jpg|thumb|250px|LEBO painting live at the Miami Book Fair International in 2014]]
'''David Adam Le Batard''' (November 19, 1972 – August 1, 2023), also known by the nickname '''LEBO''', was an American graphic and fine artist known for his murals, live painting, and sculpture. He was described as having been one of southern Florida's "most recognizable artists",<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |last1=Garcia |first1=Vanessa |title=Inside the artist's studio |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/Miami-com/ |website=Miami Herald |access-date=5 August 2004}}</ref> and "almost an institution" in the art world for his wide range of media, projects, and locations.<ref name="auto2">{{cite news |last1=Schaub |first1=Charlyne Varkonyi |title=Artist finds commercial, fine art worlds blend |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114009856/artist-finds-commercial-fine-art-worlds/ |newspaper=The Bradenton Herald |location=Fort Lauderdale |page=74 |date=2004-08-22 |access-date=2022-12-07 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
==Personal history== Le Batard was born in New York City on November 19, 1972, to Cuban exile parents, Gonzalo and Lourdes Le Batard.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |date=1997-07-13 |title=Artist's Cartoon World Fuses Patria and Pop Culture |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114269329/artists-cartoon-world-fuses-patria-and/ |first=Liz |last=Balmaseda |newspaper=Miami Herald |pages=1I, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114269433/artists-cartoon-world-fuses-patria-and/ 5I] |access-date=2022-12-07 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He was raised in South Florida,<ref name=langerado>{{Cite web |title=Live Paintings by LEBO; Langerado Music Festival |url=http://www.langerado.com/home |url-status= |access-date=6 November 2011 |website=Langerado}}</ref>{{fv|date=December 2022}} where he attended the Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida, then Florida International University.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 January 1990 |title=Artist draws on his experience |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/978/story/482569.html |access-date=3 December 2022 |website=Miami Herald}}</ref> He won the 1990 Silver Knight Award for art in Broward County, Florida,<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Miami Herald | date=May 9, 1990 | page=14A | title=Ceremony honors Broward's best, brightest students | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114039820/david-le-batard-silver-knight-award/}}</ref> and later judged that competition. He was a lecturer in residence at the International Museum of Cartoon Art while attending Florida International University, which he graduated in 1995.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto2"/>
Le Batard was the younger brother of Miami sportswriter Dan Le Batard, who hosts the radio and television program ''The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz''. David occasionally made appearances on his brother's show despite the fact that he had, by his own admission, never willingly attended a sporting event. He also served as the show's art director, designing television graphics and its former studio at the Clevelander Hotel.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lebatard |first1=& Friends |title=The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dan-le-batard-show-with-stugotz/id934820588 |website=Apple Podcasts |access-date=3 December 2022}}</ref>
David Le Batard died on August 1, 2023, at the age of 50.<ref>[https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/08/01/miami-artist-lebo-dies/ Miami artist LEBO dies after struggle with illness]</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Rosa | first=Amanda | title=Miami artist David Le Batard, known as Lebo, dies at 50, says brother Dan Le Batard | website=Miami Herald | date=2023-08-01 | url=https://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/visual-arts/article277843588.html | access-date=2023-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Miami |first1=Herald |title=Miami artist David Le Batard, known as Lebo, dies at 50, says brother Dan Le Batard |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/visual-arts/article277843588.html |website=Miami Herald |access-date=1 August 2023}}</ref>
==Themes and influences== LeBatard referred to his work as "postmodern cartoon art expressionism".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fordam |first1=John |title=Guru of Groove |url=https://www.guruofgroove.com/ |website=Art Exist |publisher=John Fordam |access-date=1 August 2008 |archive-date=24 September 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040924234803/http://guruofgroove.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> His work often depicts musicians and musical metaphors, inspired by street art and Cuban music.<ref name=langerado />{{fv|date=December 2022}} His visual style involved "soulful" line-based abstractions against bold flat color backgrounds.<ref name="auto1"/>
==Works, collaborations and commissions== Le Batard also worked in the media of fabric, aircraft exteriors, cruise ship hull artwork, stained glass, furniture (he collaborated with designer Ralh Pucci, among others) and flower shows. In 2008 he collaborated with an Italian tile manufacturer to design the world's largest mosaic mural in Venice, Italy.<ref name=langerado />{{fv|date=December 2022}}
Le Batard designed the exterior of ''Norwegian Getaway''.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=Sun-Journal | date=January 25, 2014 | page=B8 | title=Cruise Trends 2014 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114040055/le-batard-norwegian-getaway-design/}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{discogs artist|David Le Batard}} * {{imdb name|12368540}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Le Batard, David}} Category:1972 births Category:2023 deaths Category:American people of Cuban descent Category:American graphic designers Category:20th-century American artists Category:20th-century American male artists Category:21st-century American artists Category:21st-century American male artists Category:Artists from Miami Category:Artists from New York City Category:Florida International University alumni