Meet Bumblebee Lovesyou of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bumblebee Lovesyou.

Hi Bumblebee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Back in 2006 after I graduated from college I started to realize that getting a job wasn’t going to be as easy as they made it seem. Little did I know, the great recession was beginning, and I was working at a restaurant in Downey, Ca (South-east LA) where I grew up. That started out as a part-time job but that was quickly turning into a dead-end job. (However, it was one of the best experiences of my life and I suggest everyone serve the public at least once in their life, very humbling.)

I started to do the math and had another realization that if I wanted to be an artist or a well-known anything by age 30, I needed to make time for myself to actually make artwork. So what I decided to do was dedicate my life from that point onwards to bettering myself by creating art every day and attempt to find a voice in the art world.

So from 06-08 I started interning at art galleries and by 09′ I was working at one full time. From there I met many people in the art world and supporters of the arts. I started realizing that I could even dream about creating artwork full time and by 2013 I started living that dream. One thing led to another and…

Little did I know, my plan actually ended up working! and now I can proudly say for the past 12 to 13 years (even though it’s still a struggle) I am making art full time and supporting myself living with my wife and our puppy 🙂

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not a smooth road, living in one of the most expensive places in the world has its downfalls. And being an artist in one of those places certainly does not help this unpaved road. However, love finds a way as I have found out, and I have received so much support from collectors over the years, some of them the same since day 1 and gaining new collectors here and there all the time!!! I truly am grateful.

Other struggles, were finding a place to live and work. I’ve worked in garages, rooms behind a curtain, and a basement. Until I found the ultimate dream space which was a storefront on Washington & La Brea where I lived for about 10 years. Great landlord, but omg talk about a struggle. Getting broken into, dealing with the homeless, and not to mention bugs (yikes). But it was the dream space where I created many of the images you’ve seen such as Beach Boy, Director’s Cut, Duck Dive, Telescope Boy, Jump Rope girl, Boy and Girl on a bench and so on…

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I do mostly now is paint murals. Sometimes that’s for Elementary Schools and sometimes that’s for Private (Public) Properties. I also create paintings on different mediums, take select commissions and paint for art shows in LA and sometimes around the world. About once or twice a year I am able to create a print of a beloved past image that I’ve created. Those are created in house and are always usually hand finished making each one special + affordable.

My work specializes in creating artwork based around the thought of ‘keeping the childhood spirit alive’. I’m known for creating these ‘cool kids’ that you may have seen while driving around LA. They are my little giants and will make anybody feel like a kid again when they see one in person.

I first gained a lot of attention by painting one of these kids on the side of an airplane hangar holding a paper airplane across from the Burbank airport. I think it went viral on Reddit back in 2012-13? But painting is only one of the mediums I’ve been known for as well. Back in 09-13 I did a series of paper-mache beehives in empty telephone booths as a comment on the rise in cell-phone usage and taking back of public space.

I’m most proud of the work I’ve done at schools, honestly, it is so rewarding. Getting to see the kids’ faces and answering all their questions about art and how it’s made. Them seeing the progress throughout and the final result is like them watching a magic trick come to life. It’s such a cool feeling, I love it!

What sets me a part from other artists I think is my style, people tell me it’s very distinct and recognizable. My message is so simple yet fundamentally so important in life. That message is to not grow up so fast! Relaxxxxxxx man and enjoy life. You’re only a kid once.

What matters most to you? Why?
Currently, my puppy lol. Omg did I have the puppy blues last year, but now I’m so in love with her, she’s like my baby! But truly what matters most to me is my family.

If we’re talking about my artwork, then what matters most is that people enjoy it and that it brightens up their day while they’re driving or walking by it or at school.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bumblebeelovesyou.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumblebeelovesyou/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bumblebeelovesme
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bumblebeelovesyou

Image Credits
Bumblebeelovesyou