The Collection

Cbabi Bayoc (born Clifford Miskell, Jr.) is an internationally recognized visual artist and illustrator based in St. Louis, Missouri. Known for his bold linework, vibrant color, and dynamic explorations of family, childhood, music, and contemporary Black life, Bayoc has developed a distinctive visual language often described as infused with “phunk.” He adopted the name CBABI—Creative Black Artist Battling Ignorance—while attending Grambling State University from 1992 to 1995, later legally changing his name in 1997 at the time of his marriage. He subsequently chose the surname BAYOC—Blessed African Youth of Creativity—as a name he could meaningfully share with his future children.

After early work as a caricature artist at Six Flags Over St. Louis, Bayoc launched a professional illustration career. His first major client was Rap Pages magazine, where in 1998 he created monthly caricatures for the RPM section. This visibility led to a commission from Violator Management to produce the cover artwork for Violator: The Album, Vol. 1, depicting hip-hop artists including Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Foxy Brown, Q-Tip, LL Cool J, Mobb Deep, Fat Joe, and Big Pun. Around the same time, Bayoc’s work attracted the attention of musician Prince, who began collecting his art following a 1997 exhibition connected to the Love 4 One Another charity tour. Prince later selected Bayoc’s artwork Reine Keis Quintet as the cover for his 23rd studio album, The Rainbow Children (2001).

In 2012, Bayoc undertook the ambitious project 365 Days with Dad, a yearlong commitment to painting daily images celebrating positive representations of Black fatherhood. The series resonated widely, generating community dialogue and personal storytelling around parenting, generational support, and the representation of Black families. The project became a defining body of work, reinforcing Bayoc’s longstanding dedication to themes of family, joy, and everyday lived experience.

Bayoc received his BA in Art from Grambling State University in 1995. Over the course of his career, he has built a sustained practice as a full-time artist, producing paintings, illustrations, and public projects that reflect his commitment to cultural affirmation and creative storytelling.